Gladys Zelma Davis

Gladys Zelma Banks Davis was born on August 25, 1932 in Jackson, Mississippi and passed away on January 30, 2024. She was born to Lovie Mae Harrison and John Valentine Banks. She was raised by her grandparents, Andrew and Edith Miller. Gladys attended Smith Robertson School, ThePiney Woods School (where she actively played baritone saxophone in the band) and Jackson State University.
In 1958, she married Willie Talcum Davis and became a faithful member of Christ Temple Church of Christ Holiness U.S.A., (the mother church). She dutifully and tirelessly worked on the Deaconess Board, W.A.C.C., Truth Club, the Senior Choir (belting her alto voice), and One of her favorite projects was having her family annually attending the National Convention of the Church of Christ Holiness every year, visiting many states.
Through the union of Willie and Gladys, two children were born, Adrianne Michele and Charles Talcum. Gladys loved her children. She and her husband, raised them in the Church of Christ Holiness U.S.A. where Willie was on the Deacon Board. He preceded her in death in 1993.
Gladys had a deep desire to help others, especially children and decided to take the path of educating others. After receiving her Bachelors of Education degree at Jackson State College, this set the pathway for her destiny. During her career, she taught at Sweet Rest School, Spring Hill School (Florence, MS). Her teaching career was primarily within the Madison County School District, where she taught Special Education at Rosa Scott and Madison-Ridgeland High School for 35 years. She was fondly known by her fellow faculty members as "G Davis". Her students loved and respected her for her diligence and dedication to helping them better themselves. She would also work during the summers, keeping in contact with her students and traveling to their homes to visit them. Gladys made fund raising efforts to enable her students to participate in the Special Olympics. In furthering her own education, Gladys decided to return to Jackson State University to receive her Master's Degree in Special Education.
Mrs. Davis was a faithful, loyal Child of God, known for her strong prayer warrior spirit. Many sought her out to add them to her prayer list, and she and her prayer partners would gather each morning from 5:00am-6:15 am, interceding for those on their various lists. Through their collective prayers, they drew power from the Lord.
Gladys was well known for cooking skills, especially her German Chocolate and Mississippi Mud cakes. She loved reading the Bible, singing in the church choir, entering various magazine sweepstakes, the Sunflower Supermarket Jackpot, embroidering, crocheting and crossword puzzles. She was also a loyal member of the Brinkley Place Garden Club.
Gladys Davis leaves to cherish her memory a daughter, Adrianne Michele Kelly (Derek) of Pittsburgh, PA; and son, Charles T. Davis. She is survived by three grandchildren: Alexis Dominique Kelly and Derek Loren Kelly both residing in Phoenix, AZ and Nevaeh Gladys Marie Davis, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.