Mary Lois Clark Davis was born in McKeesport, Pa., on April 19, 1926, and died after a brief illness on Aug. 25, 2011.
She grew up in the greater Pittsburgh area and graduated from McKeesport High School in 1944. The date was June 6, 1944, to be exact–D-Day, and that event which overshadowed her transition from high school to college had a profound effect on her life as it did so many of “The Greatest Generation.”
During the war she met Lamar W. Davis from South Carolina who served as a pilot in the Army Air Corps. They married soon after his return from Europe and moved to Savannah in 1947, raised a family and became actively involved in the business, civic and religious life of the city.
Mary was a wonderful wife and mother and employed her talents in many ways outside the family. She worked as Office Manager and Bookkeeper in Lamar’s CPA firm. She was an active member of Bull Street Baptist Church, a Charter Member of Memorial Baptist Church, where she served in many roles — teacher, choir member, Bible School Leader, and was a charter member of the Geritol Gypsies.
In later years she became a member of First Baptist Church of Savannah. For over 30 years she was a member of the Exchangette Club of Savannah and served in many leadership roles including a term as President.
For many years she led a class of women in weekly Bible Study, and arts and crafts at the Savannah Baptist Center where she also served on the Board of Trustees. As Lamar progressed in leadership roles in the Georgia Society of CPAs she became a mentor and unofficial activity leader of spouses of CPAs at their periodic meetings and conventions and forged many lasting relationships within the Society.
She nurtured her sons and their families and in later years she became an important influence in the lives of her five grandchildren. With each of them she fostered a special and unique relationship which has enriched their lives beyond measure.
She never met a stranger, always saw the best in people, and lived her life with unbridled optimism and a serene sense of contentment whatever the circumstance.
She was preceded in death by her son Danny Davis, her husband Lamar W. Davis, Sr., and her brother William G. Carlson.
She is survived by her two sons, Lamar W. Davis, Jr., and his wife Sarah M. Davis of Savannah and Lee J. Davis and his wife Lucie M. Davis of Peachtree City; her sister Elizabeth Jane Bower of Marietta Ohio; her brother and sister-in-law Scovel M. Carlson and June Carlson of Ormond Beach, Fla.; sisters-in-law Frances Davis and Phoebe Davis; grandchildren and spouses– Whit (Claire), Betsy, Chris (Rachael), Danny (Angela), and Abby; and seven great-grandchildren. She will be terribly missed.
Visitation was Monday, Aug. 29, 2011, at Fox and Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2011, at First Baptist Church of Savannah, 223 Bull Street.
Burial was in the Greenwich section of Bonaventure Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made to Union Mission, 107 Fahm Street, Savannah, Ga. 31401, Savannah Baptist Center, 704 Wheaton Street, Savannah, Ga. 31401, or charity of donor’s choice.
Fox and Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel was in charge of arrangements.
