Mother Minnie Briggs Davis was born June 30, 1922 to the late Freddie Briggs and Emma Gertrude Harris Briggs in Madison County, Alabama. She made her transition from this life on Saturday, November 17, 2007 at the Huntsville Hospital surrounded by her loved ones.
Affectionately known as “Sistah”, Mother Davis was preceded in death by her brothers (Freddie Jr., Sam, Otha, and Eugene Briggs) and her sisters (Lillie Mae Briggs, Violet Edwards, Paralee Briggs and Everlou Turner). Her oldest daughter, Bessie Mae Readus, also preceded her in death. She was married to the late Marion Davis.
Mother Davis had a very full life. She was a domestic for many years and took joy and pride in all of her work endeavors. One of her greatest loves was her church and church family. She has been a member of St. Mark Church for more than forty years under pastors Reverend W. A. Donaldson and Reverend John Clay. Mother Davis served on the Mothers Board and previously served as president and treasurer. She was also a member of the Sisters Aid Society, the Senior Citizens Group, Day Care Center Volunteer, and a very devoted and dedicated Sunday School scholar. One of her proudest moments was receiving perfect attendance for the year in Sunday School in 2001. Mother Davis was also a member of Maple Chapter #88 of the Order of Eastern Star.
A loving caretaker who assisted in the care of her parents, in-laws, children and siblings, Mother Davis enjoyed cooking and feeding people. We will always have memories of those wonderful sweet potato pies that no one has been able to duplicate or those magical butter rolls. With food as in life, she had a way of taking very little and making it very special.
Mother Minnie Briggs Davis leaves to cherish her memory a devoted daughter, Juanita (Howard) Townsend of Huntsville, AL; devoted sons: J. D. (Geraldine) Briggs of Huntsville, AL, Larry Donnell Davis of Washington, DC, and James Earl Davis of Philadelphia, PA; grandchildren: Charlie Connell (Paula) Davis, Alcinda (David) Cox, Alphonso (Alice) Readus, Howard Ray (Bonnie) Townsend, Bobby (Shirley) Readus, Sharon Harris, Yvonne (Keith) Taylor, Frederick Craig Readus, Tiffany High, and Da’nate (Demetrius) Townsend; twenty great grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; a brother, Thomas Briggs, Sr.; a sister-in-law, Omega Davis Jordan of Chattanooga, TN; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Funeral services for Mrs. Minnie Davis will be held at 1200 Noon, Friday November 23, 2007 from the St. Mark Baptist Church with Rev. John Clay officiating. Interment will be in Valhalla Memory Gardens. The remains of Mrs. Davis will be in the church one hour prior to funeral time.