Annie P. Davis

Annie Pearl Davis was born in Wetumpka, Alabama to Leon Rudolph and Gertrude Ware Simpson, on December 28, 1930.

She nearly was not permitted to begin school as a child because there seemed to be no birth certificate in her name. The only birth certificate that was discovered was one in the name of Leslie Mae. Later, the family came to know that Annie’s grandmother had chosen to name her Leslie Mae. Annie begged for her mother to legally reverse the name, because she was afraid of their neighbor, who was cross-eyed, whose name was Leslie Mae.

Annie shared many fun times with family especially, her sister-like cousin, Mary. She was mischievous at times, though. She would burn the biscuits so, she would not be told to help prepare meals. She found ways of getting out of housework and her beloved “sister-cousin” would pick up the slack. At times, she would wait for Mary to get to her last buttery, sweet morsel of cornbread, snatch it and eat it. After all, who told her that she could save her cornbread and enjoy it during the evenings on the porch and make it seem like it was the best thing on earth?!

Annie moved to Cincinnati, Ohio around the age of 10. Later, she attended Hughes but, went back home to finish her education, graduating from Elmore County Training High School. She attended Alabama State Teachers’ College for a year. She moved back to Cincinnati.

Annie met and married Donald E. Davis. After a devastating miscarriage, they lovingly adopted a baby girl, whom they named Jeannine Marie Davis. Annie loved her family and it showed through her care for them. She enjoyed family gatherings and playing cards with her sister-in-law, Elizabeth Davis-Austin. She was a very hard and diligent worker. Her passions to work and help others drove her to employment at Bethesda Hospital (Central Supply) and Children’s Hospital (Nursing). She spent over two decades at Jewish Hospital as a unit clerk, working with friend Clara Godhigh and others. In later years, she worked in home nursing.

Annie enjoyed many hobbies such as, gardening with her friend Mary Dunn and league bowling with friend Mary, sisters-in-law Lela Kinsey and Mildred Martin(with her husband, Homer), until she became ill. Also, she liked to walk for exercise. She was gracious and helpful but, did not bite her tongue when asked her opinion. She was real and down to earth.

She leaves to cherish her memory: her daughter and son-in-law, Jeannine Marie and Tyrone J. Craig; five granddaughters, Tyrisha L. Craig, Jessika D. Craig, Tyana M. Craig, Tyra J. Craig, Justine D .Craig; cousin, Mary J. Bowman and a host of family and friends.