Wilma (Lou) Davis
Wilma (Lou) Davis, who was born 91 years ago in Sikeston, Missouri, on February 5, 1927, went home to be with God February 17, 2018. As a teenager, she remained in Missouri to complete her high school education when her parents came to California, so her father could work in the shipyards of San Pedro building liberty ships in 1945. On a visit to her parents in 1947 she met Marion (Carroll) Davis at a Sunday evening service of the Venice Church of Christ where her father was an elder of the congregation and his father was the minister. Her father (Roscoe Foster) introduced the couple after the service, and as Marion said, “It was love at first sight”. They had their first date that night at “Pops Pier” in Santa Monica. Wilma cut her ties with relatives in Missouri and remained in Venice and she and Marion dated for about a year. On August 23, 1948, Wilma and Marion were married by his father in a garden wedding.
The couple lived for about a year in San Fernando where Marion was the minister of the Church of Christ. They then moved to Lemoore, California where their two sons, Stephen and Timothy, were born. In 1956 the family moved to Porterville, California where they spent the rest of their lives. Once both sons were in school Wilma had various jobs principally in bookkeeping and office management.
1971 was a big year in Wilma’s life because she decided to become a beautician. After her graduation she worked for two years in a small beauty shop adjacent to the old city park on S. Main Street. Her real break came when she partnered with Rillis Mcmath in the purchase of the Carousel Beauty Salon located next to Smith’s Flower shop. Together they built a thriving and successful business. She continued to work until 1996 when she retired to help nurse her younger son, Tim, who had become disabled in a car accident in Los Angeles. Wilma loved the beauty business because she was highly artistic and gifted in working with her hands. She was often heard saying, “The beauty business is great because you make the ladies feel good by making them more beautiful”.
The last five years of Wilma’s life became more difficult and challenging because she suffered with heart and breathing difficulties. Near the end of her life she often expressed the desire to join the other members of her family who were deceased (her parents, Roscoe and Mayme Foster, her two younger sisters, Jean Macrillo and Shirley Grossman and Timothy S. Davis, her younger son). Finally God has granted her request and she is asleep in the arms of a confident faith.
Wilma is survived by her husband, Marion Davis; son, Stephen Davis and wife Linda; six grandchildren; eight great grandchildren and a host of friends who love her. Wilma had a long and successful life because she had great faith in God and a positive outlook on life and chose to see the good rather than the bad that is in everyone. Wilma will be greatly missed by her family, her church and friends.
The family would like to express special thanks to the members of the Church of Christ at 1000 N. Newcomb, the Porterville Convalescent Hospital, Optimal Hospice Care, Dr. Jindal and all of whom offered her comfort and encouragement to her family in the closing of her life.
A viewing will be held at Myers Chapel on Monday, February 26, 2018 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A funeral service will be held at Myers Chapel on Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at 12:00 PM. For those who attend the funeral, a reception will immediately follow at Church of Christ – Fellowship Hall, 1000 Newcomb St., Porterville. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the youth fund of the Church of Christ.
To sign the family guest book or send condolences please go to www.myersfuneral.com. Myers Funeral Service & Crematory in Porterville is in charge of arrangements.