Lucille Davis

Lucille Davis was able to blend her wonderful sense of humor with a loving and giving heart. It was through these traits that made her a treasure to those who knew and loved her. A strong hearted woman, Lucille worked hard her whole life through and above all cherished her family. Her life was lived fully in service to others, and that fact alone made her the happiest. She will be forever remembered and sorely missed.

With the crash of the stock market in 1929, the Great Depression spread throughout America. The unemployment rate skyrocketed, affecting nearly one out of four workers. In Clinton County, Michigan, Vere and Maybelle (Risley) Brown maintained an optimistic spirit by focusing on the many blessings in their life. They were expecting their fifth child just as the hard winter was giving way to the upcoming Spring thaw and on March 23, 1930, they were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Lucille.

Lucille grew up in the St. Johns area of Michigan with her four sisters, Dorothy, Isabelle, Lillian and Donna along with her brother, Russell. Her mother stayed home to care for the children and look after the household while Lucille’s father made a living as a farmer. He also brought in extra income traveling to other farms where he worked at threshing grain and prepared it for milling. As a young child and oblivious to the troubling world around her, Lucille led an adventurous childhood with her siblings and took in all that country life had to offer. Playful days made for great memories around the farm, especially the time when Lucille’s older sisters actually fed her “mud” pies while playing house! However, farm life had its share of work, too, and everyone was expected to chip in and do their part. The local school in the area provided Lucille with her early education, and she went on to graduate from Rodney B. Wilson High School. Early in life Lucille was blessed with the birth of her son Bob.

The years following World War II brought many opportunities to small and large communities alike. When word got out that Lucille’s brother-in-law was hiring truckers, Ed Davis came into town from the state of Georgia seeking a position. Before long, Ed and Lucille were introduced and Ed eventually asked Lucille on a date. Since trucking was Ed’s livelihood and only form of transportation, he picked Lucille up in his 18-wheel semi-truck. In time the pair became quite smitten and after a six month courtship, the two shared vows of marriage. Their honeymoon was spent traveling in Ed’s truck taking in the sights. Now married to a wonderful partner, the love in Lucille’s heart was made complete as Ed and Bob filled her life with joy.

In time additional children joined their family when Janet came along followed by Sam. Lucille loved being a mother and homemaker. To help support the family, Lucille became quite inventive at earning extra money by doing odd jobs. She often worked out of her home in order to make ends meet, and always managed to make do. With Ed traveling and working as often as he did, Lucille was left to many of the household duties. Along with raising the children, at times she became both mother and father to them. Nevertheless, Lucille was a strong hearted woman and was no stranger to hard work. She often took matters into her own hands when things broke down or needed repair around the house. If she didn’t know how to fix something, she simply learned how. In fact, she instilled in her children her “can-do” and “fix-it-yourself” attitude.

In time Lucille found her true calling when she discovered her niche working in area nursing homes. Lucille had a heart for others that was evident by her care and loving mannerisms. Truly a service driven individual, Lucille was the happiest when helping others. She soon became a Nurses Aide and her sense of humor brought smiles and laughter to those in her care. After her husband Ed’s death, Lucille moved to Illinois where she continued to pursue her work in nursing homes.

Along with her giving heart and quick wit, Lucille found time to love on her dogs who gave her unconditional joy throughout the years. The holidays were always made special when Lucille set out to make her homemade Christmas candy, a favorite of many. She also made the most delicious bread and loved the time spent making the many loaves she baked throughout the years. She had a talent for crocheting and knitting, and when grandchildren came into her life, she lovingly made them beautiful handmade toys that they continue to treasure.

Lucille was a treasure in her own right. She was a well loved woman not only by her family, but by everyone that met her. Her uncanny sense of humor was made truly evident when she personally requested the tune, “You Picked A Fine Time To Leave Me Lucille” to be played at her funeral. Her joy was bringing a smile to the faces of those she loved and cared about. At the age of 79, Lucille passed away following a long battle with cancer. She will be fondly remembered and sorely missed.

Surviving her are her two sons, Robert and his wife, Laura of Live Oak, TX; Samuel and his wife, Pat of Springfield, MO; her daughter, Janet and her husband Alvin Schafer of Westphalia, MI. She also leaves behind eight grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren; four sisters, Mrs. Dorothy Gates of Lansing, MI, Mrs. Isabelle Cleland and Mrs. Lillian Searles, both of St. Johns, MI and Mrs. Donna (Ed) Preston of Harrison, MI; and sister-in-law, Mrs. Nannette Brown of Bath, MI. Besides her husband Ed, she was preceded her in death by her father, Vere Brown; mother, Maybelle Beery; stepfather Harry Beery, and her only brother, Russell Brown.

Services will held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at the Osgood Funeral Home in St. Johns with burial at Mt. Rest Cemetery. Rev. Kenneth Bremer will be officiating. The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 PM on Tuesday at the funeral home. Sympathy may be expressed in the form memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society or to Sparrow Foundation Hospice Services. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a favorite memory, upload a photo or to sign her online guest book.