Viola Davis

Viola Davis, age 80 of Roodhouse, Illinois, passed away on 08/28/2025 at home with her loving full family beside her throughout her journey with Hospice. Viola was born on June 03, 1945 in Michigan to John Joseph (Jacinto) Jessie and Iva Matlida Olgalvie Jessie. Viola and her siblings were orphaned at a very young age leaving 9 of the 10 to move north to live with her Aunt Reffina Jacinto Day and her husband Frank Day (and their six children living children and one previously passed away). They were a proud family and ended up growing up in Jacksonville, Illinois. Her father John J (Jacinto) Jessie was a first-generation immigrant from Portugal and changed his last name from Jacinto to Jessie at some time. Her parents lived in Michigan for many years before relocating a history has it perhaps her Dad might we maybe he became involved with bootlegging during prohibition in the Ozarks but that may just be a fun family giggle as we have no real historical evidence at this time to back this up.
Viola Davis married Bill Davis on May 28, 1994 with all of Viola's currently living brothers and sisters (including a brother Paul who was the oldest Jessie child by 20+ years [fun family story.] They filled their church and their wedding with every child, grandchild and friends that could fit into their church or receptions. This may not have been their first marriage, but it was clearly their meant to be marriage with love for each other and Christ that was inspiring as well as incredible to observe. They shared a love and bond that was remarkable to watch as they would choose any of their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, etc over any material object some others strive for. They coparented a group of children from her prior marriage and his prior marriage and their impact on all six will forever be something outstanding. In addition to the six children they raised, their impact on their grandchildren is something from a storybook. They always had a bed and a school bus coming by for whichever child (some children may not have had any relationship biologically to them but if they needed their own special space for whatever reason, no questions asked, it was available, and everyone knew that. Viola and Bill enjoyed time at the lake fishing, camping or simply making smores or koy pond or any simple indulgence turtles in boxes, cats rescued from trees, pitching a tent in the woods and enjoying hot cocoa, bb guns to "hunt", tiny tool boxes with hammers and nails and a small tape measure, it did not matter, just because one of the grandchildren thought it would be cool, then it was made to be cool! Viola never said no (unless of course real safety was involved – no one really knew where she might draw that line but we know the kiddos all made it) but otherwise, the grandchildren enjoyed life and no concerns.
Viola is survived by her husband Bill Davis who showed the most beautiful and enduring love for her until her last breath. Viola is survived by her children, Renita Norris of Jacksonville, Illinois, Lynn (and Dan) Cummings of Lewisville, Texas, Harry (and Jenn) Jennings of South Jacksonville, and Bill's children, Tonya (and Terry) Ross of Roodhouse, Illinois, Andy (and Brandie) Davis of Pittsfield, Illinois, Eric Davis (and Melissa Hoesman) of Whitehall, Illinois.
Viola is survived by her grandchildren, Josh Jennings (and Karrie Scott), Tiffany (and Nathan Allen) of Jacksonville, Illinois, Phil (and Amy) Cummings of Carrollton, Texas, Drew (and Hannah) Cummings of Frisco, Texas. Bailey Jennings of St Louis, Illinois, Harrison Jennings of South Jacksonville, Anthony (wife Brooke) Willeford, Alex (wife Chelsea) Willeford, Evan Willeford (Kelly Buck), Lakin (husband Tyler) Jackson, Mackenzie (husband Chris) Bowen, Kaiden (wife Kathryn) Davis, Karlie (husband Nathan) Randall, Andrew Davis, Erica Davis. Of special note – these were in her eyes, all "their grandchildren, not hers and his, but their grandchildren"!
Viola is survived by her great-grandchildren, Zach Jennings, Kole Jennings, Lukas Cummings, Logan Cummings, Marlow Cummings, Natalie Allen, Carter Allen. Great-grandchildren, Teagan, Tessa, Tripp, Teddy Willeford, Gabe and Rachael Ference, Quentin Willeford, Coulson Willeford, Nolan and Warren Jackson, Amelia and Eleanor Bowen.
Viola is survived by one remaining sibling, Edith Byus. Viola was one of ten children and is preceded in death by her parents, John Jacinto Jessie and Iva Matilda Olgalvie Jessie. Her dad was an immigrant from Portugal. She is preceded in death by her siblings, Paul Jessie, Harry Jessie, Iva Jessie Fernandez, John Jessie, Oscar Jessie, Frank Jessie, Cora Widsom, Perry Jessie.
Viola was preceded in death by her grandson Mark Cummings.
Viola has a desire to open a restaurant "Our Way Café" and with the help of some local Chesterfield folks, she did just that. She certainly did things "her way" throughout her life. Some farmers came each day, even some days for nothing more than coffee and gossip, others got a warm meal. She later went to work for Wal-Mart and loved her job very much and some might argue more than life during her years there. She worked her way up in Management and later retired from Wal-Mart. She returned there and again retired from management. Wal-Mart was where she met her husband, Bill Davis.
At a very young age she worked at Capps in Jacksonville, Illinois before getting married the first time. This is where she learned to sew. She loved to sew and for years while her daughters were young, she made most all of their clothes. When her son Harry was born, she not only made most all of his childhood clothes, but she was also known to have redone a stroller and all baby bedding and curtains. She discontinued that passion, once her she was no longer a stay-at-home mom and instead went to work running/opening the café. Her hobbies included not only sewing but working with plants and anything that got her outside. She loved to be anywhere her grandchildren (and any of their friends) might be.
A visitation will be held to honor Viola Davis on Tuesday September 2, 2025 from 5 PM to 7 PM at Williamson Funeral Home in Jacksonville, Illinois.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made for a memorial bench which will be placed on the walking trail near the lake spot she spent many of her summer days.
This entire blended and loving family would like to thank first BJC Hospice for their respect and dignity they afforded Viola as she made the choice for Hospice. They would especially like to thank all family and friends for the meals and visits and for their kindness and support.
Condolences may be left online at www.airsman-hires.com.