Laverne Isabelle Davis Passes
Laverne Isabelle Davis, loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, faithful churchwoman, and quiet champion for justice died Monday August 22nd at the age of ninety-seven. The first daughter and fourth child born to Albert Chivis and Mozelle (née Keyes), she was born in Chicago and early in life moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she lived for nearly 90 years. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Joseph (Jack) William Davis, her oldest child, Ellen Marie Davis, and one granddaughter Deiadre Beane. Laverne was the last surviving child of the Albert Chivis family.
Having entered into eternal rest, Laverne now joins her husband Jack, parents, daughter Ellen, granddaughter Deaidre, and siblings: Eugene Chivis (Helen); Vernon Chivis (Thelma); Edward Chivis; Ellen Wallace (Milton); Noma aHaaaHHardiman (Theodore); Frank Chivis; Mary Grant; and Donald Chivis.
Laverne was beautiful, brilliant, elegant, witty, and forward thinking. She had a passion for games and was a member of an Argentine card club that met monthly for over sixty years. She loved hosting parties for family and friends. Christmas at her home was truly the most wonderful time of the year.
A life-long learner, Laverne graduated from South High School in 1943, and attended both Grand Rapids Junior College and Davenport College later in life. She was a gifted musician. although the racism she encountered meant her gifts were often unrecognized or ignored. As a high school senior, she was passed over for the third time (despite being the school's most accomplished violinist) and she simply promoted herself, moving from third to second chair and daring anyone to say differently; which they did not. She had a love of classical music, especially Baroque and Romantic composers. She longed to attend conservatory, where she would have certainly excelled, but that was not a possibility given the times and her circumstances. As a teenager and young adult, she performed frequently at church services and community events around the city.
Laverne was gifted in accounting and sales and had a trailblazing career in marketing at AT&T, though her success was hard won. After being passed over for promotion for many years, despite being more experienced and qualified than other candidates, she sued the company for racial discrimination, and won. Following several promotions, she retired from the company in the 1980's.As a devoted churchwoman who attended St. Philip's Episcopal Church for over seventy years, Laverne held a variety of church leadership positions including treasurer, vestry member, chair of the repast committee, and coordinated the church's renovation and installation of an industrial kitchen. In later life, her spiritual life deepened. She enjoyed daily prayer, Bible study, and reflected with gratitude on the blessings of life.
She leaves to honor her memory her children Jacquelyn Peters (William), Warren Davis (Patricia), Kenneth Davis, and June Davis; grandchildren Yejide Peters Pietersen (Fabian), Iesha Mitchell (Patrick), Kamau Peters (Aleah); Michael Davis, Azikiwe Peters (Tamique), Marreo Davis, Rashawn Scott, Tacuma Peters (Yomaira), Amber Mack (DeCondi), Michael Dunlap, and Lisa Davis; 16 great-grandchildren and 1 great -great – grandchild; a host of nieces and nephews; and goddaughter Satin Love.
The wake will be held Tuesday, Aug. 30th, 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. at Brown's Funeral Home (627 Jefferson Ave SE, Grand Rapids). The funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. at St. Philip's Episcopal Church (558 Henry Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI) with burial at Kent Memorial Gardens immediately following. Following the burial, the family will host a repast at St. Philip's Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to St. Philip's Episcopal Church, Grand Rapids, MI.
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