Debria Fern (Cushman) Davitz of Chester
Debria Davitz was born in Chester, Illinois on Oct. 14, 1956. She was married to Gerald "Jerry" Joseph Davitz in 1979. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother and homemaker throughout her marriage, known for her fresh-baked bread at suppertime, an immaculately clean home, and especially her candy cane cookies for the holidays, and peanut butter cookies for a perfect get-together or after-school snack.
Everyone who came into her home immediately felt welcomed and loved, and she often kept lists of her guests' favorite things and meals to ensure a special experience for anyone who visited.
She was an active member of St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Lithia Springs, Georgia, where she participated in several ministries. She was a catechist, teaching first Reconciliations and first Eucharists to the parish children, including her own. She also helped to design and implement the parish nursery ministry. Debria worked as the caterer for the church rectory, in charge of preparing and serving delicious meals to any priests, bishops, or visitors to the church campus. She also served as an active member of the parish Council of Catholic Women.
Debria began working outside the home when her children were teenagers, enjoying her job helping to lead the count room of Garden Ridge in Douglasville, Georgia.
In 2000 she changed pace to be home full-time with Jerry as he fought his long battle with bone marrow cancer, succumbing to the disease in November 2004. After the passing of her husband, Debria again assumed her caregiver role when she moved in with, and took care of her mother, Fern (Colvis) Cushman, until her passing in September 2012.
Debria lived out her final years as a doting grandma to her grandchildren and enjoying a loving relationship with her fiancé Neill Smith, whom she planned to wed within the next year.
Debria Fern (Cushman) Davitz of Chester, beloved wife, mother, sister and grandmother, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020 in Springfield, Illinois. She was the widow of Gerald "Jerry" Joseph Davitz (1979-2004), whom she was married and devoted to for 25 happy years.
She is survived by her fiancé, Neill Smith, of Springfield; her children, Mark (MaryPat) Davitz of Freeburg, Sheila Davitz Elser of Freeburg, Amanda (Jason) Wallace of Hiram, Georgia, Victoria (Kyle) Carney of Cumming, Georgia and Andrew (Justina) Davitz of St. Charles, Missouri; her sisters, Betty (Michael) Welge of Chester, Connie (Hubert) Holzum of Chester, Linda (Forrest) Smith of Bethalto, Illinois and Mary Anne (Michael) Cushman (sister-in-law), of Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
Debria was a loving and kind grandmother to 15 grandchildren: Aubrey, Adam and Haley Davitz; Amelia and Benjamin Elser; Caleb, Cooper, Zander, Max, Lola, Finn and Axel Wallace; and Nolan, Abigail and Weiland Carney.
She is preceded in death by her husband; her parents, Bernard and Fern Cushman of Chester; and her brother, Michael Cushman of Perryville, Missouri.
A funeral Mass for Debria will begin at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020 at St. Mary Church of Divine Maternity in Ellis Grove, Illinois.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the church has asked that the funeral remain a family-only Mass, while friends are invited to celebrate Debria at her internment at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Chester, following the funeral.
If you are family attending the Mass, be aware that per the diocesan guidelines, masks and hand sanitizer are required for entry.
In lieu of flowers, friends are ask to consider making a donation to the Knights of Columbus Council 12580, at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, in Lithia Springs, Georgia.