Lillie Mae Goshay Davis

Lillie Mae Goshay Davis was born to Jesse Goshay and Georgia Bonner Jones on October 14, 1950 in Birmingham, Alabama. Growing up, she was referred to as "Goat" or "Goshay" by relatives and "Lil" by her siblings.
At age 6, Lil professed her faith in Jesus Christ. She joined and was baptized at Galilee Baptist Church, under the leadership of the late Rev. R.H.Thompkin. She later united with the East End Baptist Church under the pastoral-ship of Dr. Rev. Calvin Wallace Woods where she was a faithful member of the Sunday School and Young Adult choir and actively participated in the Civil Rights movement.
In her earlier years, Lil lived and was raised by her grandparents, David and Laura Bonner who she referred to as "Daddy" and "Momma". In addition to religion and education, music was a vital part of her upbringing. While living with them, Lil learned to play the piano. When she attended C.W. Hayes High School, she joined the band and played the glockenspiel (aka "the Bells"). Lil's little sisters and brother looked forward to seeing her march in the parades.
She attended Birmingham public schools. In 1971, Lil graduated from Alabama State University with a degree in Sociology. She later earned her master's degree in Sociology from Texas Southern University. The family moved to Galveston, Texas in 1971 and united with St John Missionary Baptist Church under the pastoral-ship of the late Rev Andrew Henry Wilson. Lil was a faithful member of the Inspirational choir. As she led the song, "How Great Thou Art", you wondered if she was an angel. Her soprano voice was so angelic.
Lil was the Director of Galveston County Early Childhood program and later became the Program Director of The Childcare Management program in Galveston. At the time of her passing, she was the Coordinator of Client Services for Galveston County Family Services.
Lil united in holy matrimony with Henry Lee Davis May 29, 1979. Her life can be characterized as Family first. For several years, they together helped raise Henry's nephew Jarvis along with all of her nieces and nephews. She would give her last to her nieces and nephews, just to see them smile.
Lil quietly departed this life on Monday, September 19, 2022. She is preceded in death by her husband, Henry, brother, Willie Jr, step-father Willie Jones, Sr., mother Georgia, grandparents David and Laura Bonner and Jeff and Carrie Goshay, cherished cousins Betty Williams and Reginald Jackson, aunts Martha Jackson, Helen Coleman, Lillie Mae Bonner (her name sake), Erma Bonner, Daisy Goshay, and uncles Joshua Bonner, David Bonner, James Bonner, Emanuel Goshay, and cousin David Bonner Jr.
Lil leaves to cherish her memory her father, Jesse Goshay (California), sisters Alma Parson, Sharon Jones (Austin, TX), step brother Keith Goshay (California), cherished aunt Jacqueline Wiggins (Richard, Newark, NJ), aunts Jeanne Goshay (New Jersey), Melba Gaffney (Jacksonville, FL), Jeanne Goshay (Brooklyn, NY), Ira Goshay (Corona Queens, NY), and Irene Goshay (Dawson, GA), nephew Oliver Parson, nieces Andrea Parson (California), Jennifer Williams (Manor, TX), Jessica Howell (Elliott, Midlothian, TX), great nieces Brianna and Kyianna Parson, Castyana Parson, Kaylynn Zimdars (Manor, TX), Juleesah Williams (Manor, TX) great nephew Jamison Howell (Midlothian, TX), special family friends, Terrie Hall and Andrea Hypolite, and a host of cousins and friends.
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