Mrs. Ida Bell Davis

Ida Bell Davis, wife of the late Elder William Davis, was welcomed by heaven's gates on June 3, 2008. Ida was born March 10, 1915 in Prairie Point, Mississippi to the parents of Willie and Maggie (White) Winston. William "Mack" Davis found the love of his life and he and Ida wed in 1931. Looking to improve their lives, William and Ida moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1951 where they served the Lord in several ministries. Ida initially joined Mount Zion Baptist Church and was a founding member of Friendship Baptist Church and Galilee Baptist Church. At Galilee Baptist Church she served in many ministries and was the first recording secretary for the church. She was the co-founder of Tower of Faith Church. Serving the church and her family was a common theme in Ida's life. She supported several family members as they migrated from the South to the North by providing housing and hot meals. As a loving mother she raised two God-fearing and accomplished daughters, Willie Mae Pierson and Patricia Ann Plair. She nurtured her grandchildren and helped raise many children in the Kalamazoo community. She also provided quality day care to several children. Ida was known as an excellent cook and could delight the palate of any person who was the beneficiary of her delicious meals. After 64 years of marriage, she was preceded in death by Elder William "Mack" Davis and their six month old daughter, Linda Davis. She also was preceded in death by eight siblings including her sisters: Lula Lee Kellum, Ezella Tate, Sarah Lue Lester, Queen Esther Lewis, her brothers: Otis Winston, Robert Winston, Billy Perkins and Hansel Winston. She leaves to carry on her legacy several loved ones including her sister, Hattie Cockrell of Ethelsville, Alabama; a brother, Albert (Vera) Winston of Columbus, Mississippi and a sister-in-law; Ernestine Winston of Prairie Point, Mississippi. Her children, Willie Mae (Albert) Pierson, Patricia Ann (Alexander) Plair; a loving niece, Viola (Clifford) Bentley, a special cousin, Mard Nabors; two adopted daughters, Cheryl Nelson and Monique Jones; 9 grandchildren, Cheryl (Ricky) Johnson, Tonya (James) Collins, LeShon (Stephanie) Pierson, Melissa, Alexis, Dana, Alexander II, Amberly and Clarissa Plair and 8 great grandchildren. Ida's favorite saying was, "I am standing on a rock that never gives away and that rock is Jesus." We celebrate and thank God that Ida led many people to "The Rock".

Mrs. Ida Bell Davis

March 10, 1915 - June 3, 2008