Obituary of Thelma E Davis

Thelma Evadne Davis was born on May 8, 1922 in Kingston, Jamaica. She was the first child of Claudius and Ivy Walton. She was a happy child, playing with her cousins; Lionel and Herbert - may they rest in peace. They lived in Kingston until 1936, when she moved to the Bronx, New York City. Thelma went to Monroe High School and attended Hunter College; graduating with a degree in Sociology.  In 1945, Thelma enlisted in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged in 1946.

During her time in the Navy, Thelma met a Marine named Clarence Preston Davis, Sr., in Grand Rapids, Michigan. They fell in love, and later married in June 1946. Eventually, they had four children, Wonda, Clarence Jr., Michael and Michelle. They were married for 46 years until the passing of Clarence in October of 1992.

Thelma was very active in the community. She owned and operated five beauty salons, a beauty school, and a host of retail properties. She was responsible for hundreds of employment opportunities for the black community. She said, “Whether it is the cold blast of wintry wind or the scorching heat of summer, hunger remains the same.” Concerned about the clusters of homeless, jobless, and friendless young men and women found on many street corners of Harlem, Thelma formed W.A.A.M.Y - The World Association to Aid Minority Youth. She was a member of Thomas Memorial Wesleyan Methodist Church, Alpha Cosmetologist of Brooklyn, and a lifetime member of NAACP and the Black Panther Party.

In 2003, she entered Lyons VA Hospital where she lived until her passing. Thelma was an avid painter, knitter, and gardener. She loved to read and was on the constant search for new information.

She is survived by three of her four children: Wonda (Elmer), Michael (Alicia), and Michelle (Willie) and daughter-in-love Elaine She left behind twenty (20) grandchildren and twenty-one (21) great-grandchildren. She was pre-deceased by her parents and one son, Clarence.

Thelma Davis was a remarkably hardworking and resilient person. She was a person of courage and compassion. Above all, Thelma believed in Family.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be Saturday 1PM at Mt Pisgah AME Church 169 North Limcoln Ave, Washington NJ 07882

The DeVoe Funeral Service in Washington has been entrusted with her arrangements,