Betty Davis

Betty Rae Davis

Betty Rae Davis, age 91, a beautiful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and a loving friend to so many passed away peacefully at home in Tallahassee, FL. She was surrounded by her loving family as she passed from this world into Heaven, March 29, 2014. While she battled Alzheimer's disease for over a decade, her sweet spirit always remained. Everyone that knew her will remember Betty's devotion to and love for God, family and friends. She will always be the strength of our family.

Betty was born in Pensacola, Florida. Her father was employed by the Louisville-Nashville Railroad Line, which afforded Betty the opportunity to live in multiple cities such as Pensacola, FL; Louisville and Paris, KY; and Birmingham, AL. It was there she met her best friend, Juanita Davis while attending Wheeler Business College. Soon thereafter, she was introduced to Juanita's brother Eugene, who had just returned from World War ll. They quickly fell in love and were married March 23, 1946. Eugene and Betty moved to Florida in 1946 and eventually settled permanently in Tallahassee.

She was employed for 33 years with the Florida State University History Department as an Executive Secretary. She made many true and lifelong friends during this period. It was indeed a job that she loved as she was able to interact on a daily basis with many students and faculty that she admired. This deep friendship was highly valued by Betty and she cherished time spent with her former co-workers after retirement.

Betty attended Seminole Baptist for 56 years and faithfully served in the Church nursery for many of these years. She loved nurturing the babies and toddlers and served long enough to see many of them as adults with their own children and grandchildren. She lived her faith through her actions, words and deeds.

She is survived by a son, Donald (Tina) of Tallahassee, FL; a daughter Sue Anne Poppell (Ed) of Quincy, FL; 9 grandchildren, Jonathan (Mandie), Kevin (Melissa), Christopher, Aaron Davis; Sabrina Sanders Parrish; Wendy Sanders; Darby, Landon and Haley Rae Davis. She is also survived by 6 great-grandchildren Dakota DeYent, Sarah Cheatham, Nakiah and Jaleha Lockwood, Caleb Parrish, and Lily Davis. She also leaves behind her nieces and nephews as well as her sister-in-law Juanita Davis (Dallas, TX). Betty was the youngest daughter of the John and Angeline Yent Ashbrook, and is preceded in death by her parents, husband of 50 years, Eugene Henry Davis and their son John Harrison Davis, as well as her sister Anne Williamson.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, April 2, 2014 from 6:00-8:00 PM, Culley's Meadow Wood Timberlane Chapel. A Celebration of Life service will be held Thursday, April 3, 2014 at 10:30 AM, Seminole Baptist Church, 3330 Mission Road, Tallahassee, FL. Interment will immediately follow at Tallahassee Memory Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Betty to the Fellowship Hall Building Fund of Seminole Baptist Church and/or The Alzheimer's Project at 301 West Tharpe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32303.