Velma E. Davis

Velma E. Davis, formerly of 25th Street, Pottsville, died June 6, 2022, at Laurel Center, Hamburg, with her husband at her bedside.

Born Oct. 1, 1933, in Schoentown (a hamlet of Port Carbon) she was a daughter of the late John and Helen Sabol.

She was a graduate of Pottsville Area High School, Class of 1951, where she enjoyed participating in the Minuet, Sketch Club and starred as "Goody" in the senior class play, "The Fighting Littles." She attended the University of Pennsylvania and the Pottsville Hospital Warne Clinic Medical Laboratory.

In her youth, she worked at the Pottsville Hospital as a phlebotomist, where she met her husband of 66 years, Robert "Bob" Davis, who was a patient at the time. Bob was wowed by her beautiful auburn hair and incredible smile. Bob and Velma married in 1956 and had three children. Early in their marriage, Velma worked at E.I. DuPont in the laboratory when they lived in New Jersey.

The couple moved back to Pottsville in the early 1960s, where Velma supported Bob in starting the family business, Davis Sporting Goods. Velma also enjoyed helping Bob behind the scenes with Pottsville Winter Carnival with many a late-night breakfast feast and dressing room for the notorious Vulcans. Later in life, Velma worked part-time at Neat Feet (a second Davis store), the Pottsville Library and as a weekend foster parent with Bob at the Milton Hershey School. Mostly, however, Velma dedicated her life to raising her children and, later in life, to helping care for her four grandchildren, being their biggest cheerleader. She was their Baba.

Everyone who encountered Velma was touched by her loving, kind demeanor and charmed by her incredibly warm smile. To quote a friend late in life, "You are a lovable woman with an angelic face that anyone could love."

She was preceded in death by her only brother, John R. Sabol, M.D., and her son, Robert (Bobby) Glenn Davis.

Surviving her are husband, Robert P. Davis; daughter, Dr. Janine Davis Watkins and husband, Kent Watkins; daughter, attorney Liane Davis Anderson and husband, John Anderson; four grandchildren, Rhys Watkins, Celeste Watkins, Danny Anderson and Josie Anderson; her many loved nieces and nephews.

Throughout her life, Velma was a devout Catholic and a lifelong member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, where a Mass of Christian Burial for Velma will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 18. Velma will be laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum with her son, Bobby, following Mass. Arrangements are under the care of James E. Humphrey Funeral Home, Pottsville. Please share your memories and condolences with Velma's family by signing the guestbook at www.jehumphreyfuneralhome.com.