Betty Davis

Betty L. Davis, 79, of Chattanooga, passed away into eternity on Thursday, May 18, 2017, in her home surrounded by her loving family.

She was born Oct. 24, 1937, to the late M.E. and Ruby Davis. She was also preceded in death by her sisters, Alice Bernice Davis and Virginia Davis Williams; brother, Marion Emery Davis Jr.

She was a 1955 graduate of Howard High School and earned her B.S. in education from Tuskegee Institute and a Masters in curriculum and instruction from UT. She was a Chattanooga elementary educator for 37 years, having taught at East Fifth Street, Clara Carpenter, Highland Park, and Orchard Knob Elementary School.

Betty was a longtime member of Orchard Knob Missionary Baptist Church, where she served as the Sunday School secretary, member of the Senior Usher Board, and Church Announcement Clerk. She was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Alumnae Chapter where she served as a past president. Betty was a member of and a participant in NEA, TEA, and the former professional organization CEA. She was also a member of the Queen of Hearts bridge club and Rubiyats Social Club.

Survivors include a devoted and loving family, her nieces, Teresa (Kirk) Kelly, Kathy (Robert) Clark, Brenda (Bernard) Brittian, Ginnette Davis, Marian Ann Davis, and Tena Williams; nephew, Deforest Williams; stepbrother, McGary Edwards; brother-in-law, DeDay Williams; grandnieces, Albany (Brandon) Leftwich, Jalisa Fredrick, Kayla Kelly, and Ahmee “Meme” Kelly; grandnephews, Adrain, GeAngelo, and Cornelius Clark; great-nieces and nephew, Quincee Leftwich, Jayce Nolan, and Audree Leftwich and a host of extended family, friends, caregivers and Hearth Hospice of Tennessee.

Visitation is today from 6 to 7 p.m. at Taylor Funeral Home.

A celebration of life will be held Friday at 1 p.m. at Orchard Knob Missionary Baptist Church with Pastor Carlos Williams as the eulogist.

Burial in Lakewood Memory Gardens, East.