Deaconess Shirley A. Davis

DEACONESS SHIRLEY ADELL DAVIS, the sixth born of nine, was born in Henderson, NC on June 30, 1937, to the late Perry Neal and the late Mollie Rodwell Neal. Shirley boarded the train to Glory on Monday, January 20, 2025, at Lord Chamberlain Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Stratford, CT.
She received her education in Vance County, NC and then moved to Bridgeport, CT in 1962. Shirley was married for nearly fifty-two years to the love of her life, Miles "Lew" Davis, Jr., until his death in 2014. From this union three children, Pamela, Lew Darnell, and Missy, were born.
Her spiritual needs were met as a disciple of First Baptist Church of Stratford for over fifty years under the Pastoral care of the late Rev. Dr. William O. Johnson and Rev. William B. Sutton, III. During these decades, Shirley served as a Deaconess, a member of the Floral Ministry, Sympathy Ministry, and a Missionary. Her 'servant' ministry flowed outside of First Baptist into the community where she served as foster mother to several dozen children, both through the Department of Social Services as well as extended family. She loved to help people, she would take care of and feed anyone, and she always liked to have things "decent and in order."
She leaves to cherish her memory her son, Lewis Darnell (Trish) Davis of New Milford, CT; two daughters, Pamela Davis of Stratford and Missy (Raymond) Demery of Stratford, CT; sister, Judith Marie Neal of Stratford; brother, John Henry (Agnes) Neal of North Carolina; five grandchildren, two godchildren, several nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends that fondly called her "Aunt Shirley," "Ms. Shirley," or "Grandma." Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Perry Neal and Mollie Rodwell Neal; four sisters, Mary Elizabeth Perry, Mabel Ruth Cole, Winnie Louise Thomas, and Sadie Beatrice Higgs; and two brothers, Gerald Neal and Perry Wilmon Neal.
We extend a heartfelt "thank you" to everyone for your calls, texts, cards, prayers, visits, and acts of kindness during Shirley's sickness/illness and during our time of bereavement. We also convey our sincere gratitude to Debbie, Patricia, and Frances for their loving homecare along with Authentic Health Care and Georgina Home Care. In addition, the healthcare professionals at St. Vincent's Hospital, Lord Chamberlain Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Hartford Healthcare Hospice at Home care team, and Morton's Mortuary. We are grateful for your personalized and genuine care, concern, and services rendered.
Services will be streamed live on Facebook and YouTube at www.mortonsmortuary.com.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org.