Ellen Campbell Davis

Ellen Campbell Davis, born Nov. 13, 1912, wife, mother, grandmother, educator, world traveler, mentor and friend, passed away surrounded by her loving family members on Monday, Oct. 5, 2009, in the place of her birth and life, her beloved Cleveland. She was preceeded in death by her husband, Raymond Hayes Davis; son, Raymond Hayes (Randy) Davis Jr.; and her grandson, Daniel Clark Carney. The matriarch of her family, she leaves behind family members for whom she was the model of a life well-lived, a life lived for others, and a life lived in Gods service. Because of her positive attitude toward life, her wit, and her persistence through any adversity, she stood as a pillar of strength to family, friends, and generations of students, and many other lives were influenced by her positive example. She was a graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, as were her husband, son, two daughters and two granddaughters. She was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority. She taught at Allen School in the 1930s, then taught foreign language at both Bradley High School and later Cleveland High School, where she continued to teach until she was 90 years of age. During the years she taught, she was active in the NEA and the Tennessee Foreign Language Teaching Association, where she served on the board of directors. In 1964, she was initiated into the International Delta Kappa Gamma Society, a national teachers society. After retirement she became a member of the Retired Teachers Association. She remained active in the Broad Street Methodist Church, was president of the Fealty Class, served on the Education Committee, the Altar Guild and volunteered with a group at her church to make packages of vitamins, pills and treat bags for orphans in Guatemala. She was a volunteer at the public library. During World War II, she met with others to sort supplies for shipment to our soldiers overseas. More recently, she rolled bandages for those in Kosovo. She received a Covenants Platinum Award Certificate of Recognition for exemplifying the positive aspects of aging. Suriving family members are three daughters: Ellen (Puddin) Davis Emery of Knoxville, Connie Davis Reynolds of Pensacola, Fla., and Elizabeth (Betty) Davis Raines of Knoxville; grandaughters: Constance Carney of Warner Robbins, Ga., Kerri Culp of Stockbridge, Ga., Danielle Mathews of Knoxville, Jennifer Ellen Garner of Park City, Utah, Anna Clair Myers of Smyrna, Ga., and Cindy Raines of Corryton; grandson, Jimmy England of Knoxville; great-granddaughters: Mandy England, Hannah Paige and Eva McLain Mathews; great-grandsons: Joshua, Justin Davis and Benjamin Carney, Campbell and Pierce Garner; and many wonderful friends. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Broad Street Methodist and again on Saturday at 1 p.m. A Celebration of Life will follow at Broad Street Methodist at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, with the Revs. Debbie Stokes and Reed Shell conducting the services. Memorials to the Ellen Campbell Davis Scholarship Fund may be made to Broad Street United Methodist Church. Grissom Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.