Mrs. Mary Ella Davis

June 16, 1922 - July 24, 2019

Mary Ella Davis (Jones) was born June 16, 1922 into the family of Reverend William E. Jones (Papa Ed) and Mary Bradley (Mama Mae). She was the youngest of 8 children thus receiving the nick name of “Sister Baby.” Mary became a Christian at an early age and was a woman of deep faith in Christ. She was a woman of prayer. She passed her legacy of faith to her children, grands and greats. Christ has always been the center of her life--in marriage, child-rearing, good times and bad. Christ was always lifted up. Mary attended school and at an early age showed great interest in music and playing the piano. She had a great ear for music. She would listen to a song and then play the song on the piano. This talent proved to be a very beneficial one in that she would play the piano wherever Papa Ed would preach. Mary not only played the piano, but she also had a beautiful singing voice. She was a member of the local Cleveland, Texas Gospel Group, The Cleveland Echoes, during the late 40s and early 50s. In the late 1940s while in Cleveland, Texas, she met a handsome, young Christian man named Roy Lee Davis while his sister, Lillie Pearl, was styling her hair. They went on a date and the rest is history. They were married in 1950 and settled in Galveston, Texas. To their union four children, Brenda Mae, Barbara Ann, James Edward, and Janice Marie, were born. They united with the Progressive Missionary Baptist Church in Galveston, Texas. The family lived in Galveston for 20 years and then moved to a better home in La Marque, Texas in 1970. Roy and Mary were faithfully married for 41 years, until the Lord call Roy home in December of 1991. During the 1950s, Mary served as the musician for the Galilee Baptist Church of Cleveland, Texas; traveling from Galveston to Cleveland every other Sunday to render music for the services. In the 1960s, Mary worked in the home of Dr. and Mrs. John Delaney, establishing a great friendship that lasted over the years. She also served as musician for the Greater St. Matthew Baptist Church in Hitchcock, Texas. In the 1970s, she served as musician for the Carter’s Temple AME Church in Galveston, Texas until her retirement. In the late 1980s, Mary came out of retirement to serve as musician for the Progressive Missionary Baptist Church in Galveston, Texas. She served there until 2001. Mary also worked alongside her husband at the Galveston Transit Company for many years. Later in 2001, Mary united with the Greatly Commissioned Bible Fellowship Church, in Texas City, Texas and in 2007 she united with the Internal Hope Fellowship Church, Webster, Texas. Mary’s home was considered the family’s sanctuary, where she so graciously hosted us. Her home was our place of relaxation, love and acceptance; a place where little ones can play all day; a place to regroup; a place of good home cooking and healing; and a place where Christ is honored. Mary was called to be with the Lord on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 at the blessed age of 97. She was our spiritual matriarch, loving mother/grandmother/auntie/friend, and prayer intercessor. She was God’s gift to this family and she will be sorely missed by all of us. Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Roy L. Davis; sister, Virginia Jones; mother and father, Rev and Mrs. W. E. Jones; brothers and sisters-in-law, Rev John E. Jones (Henrietta), Rev. Richard M. Jones (Mattie), Rev William Jones (Par Lee), and John Roy Jones (Norma). She leaves to cherish her memory four children, Brenda Johnson, Barbara Davis, James Davis (Sunja), and Janice Porter; eight grandchildren Minister Jesse L. Julius III (Chanil), Jacqueline J. Julius, Shelly M. Smith (Diallo), Jovita R. Kelly, Rosalyn Y. Davis, Johnene M. Kelly, Elder Arthur (Bo) R. Hawkins, Jr., (Diane), and Samantha N. Hawkins; twenty-four great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; devoted friend, Ella Mae Tucker; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2