Mother Stella Pearl Davis

***THE GALILEE BAPTIST CHURCH IS HOSTING HOMEGOING SERVICES IN LOVING MEMORY FOR THE FAMILY OF FIRST LADY STELLA DAVIS ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 2023. *****(DOORS OF THE CHURCH WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AT 9:30 A.M.) *******PLEASE NOTE: SEE VISITATIONS & SERVICE TIMES THAT ARE LISTED BELOW FOR FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 2023 & SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 2023 ****PLEASE NOTE: WHEN ENTERING THE CHURCHES: MASKS & SOCIAL DISTANCING ARE STILL EXPECTED WHEN ENTERING. HAND SANITIZER WILL BE PROVIDED***** _________________________________________- ****ATTENTION TO THOSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO VIEW SERVICES ONLINE SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 2023. YOU HAVE (4) OPTIONS TO CHOOSE FROM: 1. Go to Galilee Baptist Church's website at: gbckazoo.org -Or 2. Go to YouTube and type in The Galilee Baptist Church Lives Stream -Or 3. Go to Facebook, if you have a Facebook account. after logging in, type in Galilee Baptist Church -Or- 4. Use the GBC App, Instagram or Twitter _________________________________________ THE SCROLL OF LIFE IN HONOR OF MOTHER STELLA PEARL DAVIS Peacefully, and in the presence of family, Stella Pearl Dunning, also known as "Mother Davis" or Mother "D" transitioned into immortality on Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at the age of 89. She was born November 23, 1933 in Dixons Mills, AL, the daughter of the late Charlie and Maggie Dunning, the second of eleven children. She attended Marengo Public School in Dixons Mills, Al, before advancing her education with courses at Kalamazoo Valley Community College and Michigan State University (1973), where she studied Early Childhood Development. She gave her life to Christ at a young age, becoming a member of the Church of God Pentecostal, INC. in 1944 where her heart remained until death. Church is where she met the love of her life, the late Bishop L.W. Davis, Sr., a young pianist from Pine Bluff, Arkansas, in town for a revival. It was love at first sight. Rumor even has it, she made sure to keep a fan with her as she anxiously awaited the opportunity to fan him while he was playing! It didn't take long to realize they were made for each other and at 16 years old she married her best friend on July 15, 1950. They were inseparable for over 50 years until God called him home January 8, 2001. In the late 1950's they moved to Chicago, Illinois, where their first seven children were born: Lafayette, Jr. (deceased), Belendria, Evonia, Concelor, Ronald, Toynal and Drucilla. They lived there for 18 years, acquiring rental property and other real estate. They then heeded a call from God to start a ministry and after traveling over the highway for 6+ years, moved to Kalamazoo, MI, in 1968. It was at this time, along with her husband, she co-founded the Kalamazoo Church of God Pentecostal and from there, several churches were birthed and many souls were saved. A few years after moving to Kalamazoo, she was surprised with a special blessing, her eighth child, Crispean. Doctors told her to abort him because of her age, however they decided to take the risk of death and possible birth defects. Mother D and Crispean had a special relationship like no other and she always said God gave him to her for a reason. She labored in the church and served faithfully in many capacities throughout her lifetime. She's been a Sunday School Teacher, choir director, prayer warrior, devotional leader, and is a licensed missionary. She also held positions as the Minister's Wife Alliance President, COGP International Chair Lady, COGP International Women's Advisor, and Counselor for Married Couples. She was voted "Woman of the Year" by the Young Women's Christian Council of Los Angeles, California in 1968. After the passing of her husband, she continued her work for the Lord as Elect Lady emerita under several pastors. Her work did not stop there as she traveled locally and nationally evangelizing and spreading the Word of Jesus Christ. She was a true believer and woman of faith. As a vessel of God, she understood that she was only the spokesperson, and that people must go to God for themselves. Teaching the Word of God was not a pastime for her- it was a way of life. When not at church you could find Mother D at home sitting in the breakfast nook reading her Bible or doing a word search puzzle while watching The Reid Report, Jimmy Swaggart, Murder She Wrote or Matlock. She had many hobbies. Among them were: going to TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), Borgess Fitness Center, where she was a charter member, to work (hang) out with friends, (supervising) planting flowers and vegetables. If you had any doubt of her love for flowers, one visit to her home between June and September would put that to rest! One thing that made her special was that when she was younger, she loved hanging with older folks. When she got older, she loved hanging with younger folks. Mother Davis also loved sewing and cooking. And boy, could she cook! It was not out of the norm for her to cook a 5-course meal as she waited for her children to come home from school. Macaroni & cheese was a staple but anybody that knew her could tell you that her chicken & rice was second to none. Her family thoroughly enjoyed her homemade rolls, and even though she didn't consider herself a baker, her Blueberry Torte could not be denied; it was the most anticipated dessert of each holiday. Meals were always topped off with her infamous Kook-Aid! She was proud of the fact that she taught herself how to cook and took delight in preparing her children home-cooked meals, whether it be breakfast, lunch or dinner, although Saturday morning breakfast with homemade biscuits was the highlight of the week. Mother D enjoyed homemaking and was great at it, however, in her later years, she decided it was time to "make my own money" and she obtained employment at Borgess Hospital, where she worked for 13 years until retiring in 1996. Mother Davis loved to travel and did so extensively, covering every state in the United States except for Alaska. Hawaii was her favorite and she visited there at least twice, one time staying close to two weeks in one visit alone. She also traveled to Mexico, London and Paris, to name a few. She was always "starting a diet on Monday", but you would never know it because Mondays were her personal day when she didn't do anything, including answering the phone. Stella enjoyed wading in the water at the beach and taking boat rides. Her beautiful laugh and smile lit up a room when she was told a good joke! Stella was fascinated by the colors of nature, appreciated gardening, loved fresh flowers, and riding around looking at Christmas lights. Of her many talents, one was writing. She authored two books: "Shut Mouth Grace" and "Divine Testimonies". The former, inspired by one of her many sermons, went on to sell several hundred copies. Having a book published was one of her proudest moments. Mother Davis had a beautiful voice and blessed churches all over the country with her glorious melodies, generally in the key of A-flat. Two of her favorite songs were, "One Faith, One Baptism, and One Belief" and "When You Hear of My Homegoing". She loved studying the Word of God! Mother was known for her practical application of the Word, and her faith-stirring testimonies, along with her infectious sense of humor which made her a respected and well sought-after speaker in the church. She had faith beyond a mustard seed, putting her faith into practice on many occasions throughout her life. If it wasn't one thing, it was another: Suffering from a childhood injury to her left leg, brain tumor, hole in her skull, MRSA and COVID-19 (11th diagnosed person in Kalamazoo - March, 2020). She was a true survivor and through it all she put her trust in the Lord and he never failed her-even until the end! She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Bishop Lafayette W. Davis, Sr.; her oldest son, Lafayette Davis, Jr.; baby girl Drucilla; her parents, five brothers, and two sisters; special friends, Lady Sue Beville and Lady Joyce Robinson. She leaves to cherish her life and rich legacy, three daughters: Belendria (Herbert) Cunningham of Kalamazoo, MI; Evonia (Ronald) Hughes of Jacksonville, Florida; and Toynal Davis (Leroy Samuels) of Atlanta, Georgia; three sons, Concelor Davis of Lauderhill, Florida; Ronald Davis and Crispean Davis of Kalamazoo, Michigan; eight granddaughters: Casondria Cunningham of New York, NY; Jyllian (James) Liggins of Kalamazoo, MI; LaToia Cunningham of New York, NY; Lindsay Hughes and Adrienne (Brandon) Paul of Jacksonville, FL; Aundria Cunningham, Sydni (Ellis) Miller, Cristell Davis "Baby Stell" and Hydeia Davis of Kalamazoo, MI: four grandsons, Ronald Hughes of Brooklyn, NY; Isaac (Tyeeluh) Hughes of Santa Ana, California; Gabriel Hughes of Baltimore, Maryland, and Ronald Lindsay of Kalamazoo, MI: great-grandchildren, Kelsey Hughes-Fuller, Justin Liggins, Jasmine Liggins, Julianna Liggins, Illyah Hughes, Iroh Hughes, and Aubrey Miller; foster children, Roger Bowles, Sherry Bowles; godchildren, Darrell Beville, Felicia Liggins-Jones and Lattoyya Taylor. Also, her 100 year old aunt "Aunt Janie", one brother, Marlon Earl Dunning; two sisters, Evelyn Berkley and Ethel Rogers; Special friends, Lady Debra Brown, Sister Mary Carver, Evangelist Mattie Conerly, Lady Betty Davis, Princess Davis, Charlotte Deur, Linda Kelly, Missionary Maggie Liggins, Lady Barbara Vincent, Lady Demeta Wallace, Elaine Wallace, Mishele Young and a host of cousins, nephews, nieces, friends and caretakers.

Mother Stella Pearl Davis

November 23, 1933 - January 11, 2023