Alma Marie Davis of Vergennes
VERGENNES - Alma Marie (Blacklock) Davis, 91, of Vergennes, passed from this life into eternity at 8:05 a.m. on April 12, 2018. She was held close and guided by the gentle hands of her personal Lord and savior, Jesus Christ, and was reunited with loved ones who entered the gates of Heaven before her.
Alma was born on Aug. 30, 1926 to Ray Vallie and Inez (Doerr) Blacklock. She attended and graduated from Vergennes High School in 1942. She graduated Miss Hickie's Business College in St. Louis.
Alma worked for the Leppert Roos Fur Company in St. Louis until she met a young man by the name of Loran Davis. They married on June 15, 1946.
They settled on family property in Vergennes and raised four children: Loran E. Davis Jr., Donna M. (Davis) Whitaker Mitchell, Barry L. Davis, and Marty L. Davis.
Alma was a dedicated member of the Vergennes Wesley United Methodist Church. Her love for her God and her devotion to do his work through the church will never be forgotten. She was the driving force that spearheaded the election-day dinner that raised funds for the missions of the church. Alma and so many other sweet ladies of the church and community pitched in to help on that day. People would come from miles around to eat a noonday meal at the church consisting of the famous chicken and dumplings and the best turnips anyone would ever eat.
But the annual dinner ceased being held when Alma's health conditions rendered her no longer able to manage the huge task of cooking. She also served as the church pianist for many years until again, her health forbid her from continuing to serve. She would still be at the piano bench even today if she was able. Alma was one of God's true and trusted servants, and a perfect model of how we are to serve.
Alma was a member of the Murphysboro White Shrine of Jerusalem and held the office of Worthy High Priestess. She and Loran enjoyed traveling the United States attending many White Shrine conventions, making many new friends along the way.
She was a member of the Jackson County Home Extension and Methodist Women.
Alma was the world's best cook, especially dumplings and pies. She was also an avid gardener, bookkeeper, excellent seamstress, PTA mom to all of her kids, teacher, disciplinarian, canning expert, cow herder, dairy farmer, and the list goes on. She excelled in taking nothing and making it into a banquet fit for a king for her family.
Alma didn't think twice about being a grandparent baby sitter. Caring for of all of her grandchildren and loving them equally and taking them with her wherever she needed to go. She taught her grandchildren proper manners, ethics and how to be a good, honest hardworking person. Positive attributes that her grandchildren will always carry with them as a loving, lasting testimony to her that they can also pass on. But most important of all, she taught them about the love that her savior, Jesus Christ had for her and everyone who accepts him as personal savior.
Alma was plagued with numerous health conditions during the latter part of her life. She was constantly challenged by physical obstacles due to her debilitating bone disease, but she never complained. She would just push through it and ultimately which was her habit, would try to do too much and get herself in a mess. Her attitude toward life and how she would not let disparities get in her way, is a gift to her family as a legacy, and part of their arsenal when dealing with life's challenges. She touched the hearts of everyone she met. Her tenacity, or in her children's words, stubborn determination, was the one attribute that everyone marveled at.
Survivors include her four children, daughter Donna Whitaker Mitchell (Scott) of Olney, and three sons, Loran E. Davis Jr. (Carol) of Shelbyville, Barry L. Davis (Theresa) of Murphysboro, and Marty L. Davis (Susan) of Vergennes; one brother, Ray B. Blacklock, of Naples, Florida; nine grandchildren, Heather Seaton, Corey Davis, Jamie (Bob) Newell, Deana Whitaker (Chad Stanley), Justin Whitaker, Aundrea (Jason) Mahoney, Quint (Dava) Davis, Kyle (Nicole) Davis, Britni Davis; 14 great-grandchildren, Schyler Thompson, Bailey Fleming, Jayden Fleming, Kurt Seaton, Rylee Davis, Macy Whitaker, Olivia Davis, Ella Davis, Carson Davis, Wyatt Whitaker, Halli Stanley, Harrison Davis, Hannah Mahoney, Lakota Davis; four step-grandchildren: Bradley Mitchell, Jonathan Mitchell, Tyler Mitchell, and Bailey Thompson; one great-stepgrandchild, Waylen Fulford; two sisters-in-law who she thought of as sisters, Hazel Odum of Marion and Dorothy McKinnies of Florida. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.
In addition to her parents, Alma was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Loran E. Davis; son-in-law, Arol Whitaker; and sister-in-law, Gloria J. Blacklock.
Funeral services were on Monday of this week at Wesley United Methodist Church in Vergennes. Dr. Roger Lyons and Rev. Angiela Ransom officiated. Burial was at Parrish Cemetery in Vergennes. Visitation was Sunday at the church.
Memorials may be made in honor of Alma by her family's request to Parrish Cemetery Association, or Wesley United Methodist Church in Vergennes.
To send a condolence, visit the memorial tribute at www.crawshawfuneralhome.com.