Aretha Willis Davis

A Time to Be Born:  Aretha Willis Davis, affectionately known as “Retha”, was born August 19, 1932, in Blakely, Georgia. She was the daughter of Mr. Coleman and Mrs. Earie Mae Willis Sr.

A Time to Live:  Mother Davis accepted CHRIST as her personal LORD And SAVIOR at an early age, joining Saint Maryland Missionary Baptist Church in Early County, Georgia. She was raised and received her education in the Missionary Baptist Church School System in Early County. The Willis Family later moved to Bainbridge, Georgia, where she met her husband Bill Davis and moved her membership to Mount Zuma Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor E. E. Mitchell. At Mount Zuma, she was a dedicated, contributing member for decades, teaching Sunday School, and was instrumental by heeding to the Word of GOD in the planting of the current pastor, Reverend Harry Mitchell Sr.

Aretha ran the Tomlin and Sons Dry Cleaner until she committed to working for the State of Georgia. She later retired to enjoy many years of traveling to visit family, friends and sights of which she had always dreamed about seeing. Her greatest accomplishment, as she always said, was that GOD blessed her to raise her children and care for them to ensure that they could have the best opportunities to develop into faithful contributing member of society.

A Time to Rest:  On Monday, January 27, 2025, Retha departed this earthly life to answer a higher calling and show all of us family, friends and associates that when you are faithful to GOD, GOD will be faithful to you. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Bill, brother Ned, sister Evelynn, daughter Betty, and son Carvin.

A Time to Mourn:  Reatha leaves behind to cherish her memories four sons: Charles Davis (Clemmie), Melvin Davis, Wendell Davis, and Timothy Davis, all of Bainbridge, GA; one daughter, Jewel Davis of Bainbridge; her oldest grandchild who was special to her heart and who has always been like a son, Eric Davis (Tamika) of Atlanta, GA; an amazing host of additional grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; one sister, Ida M. Crews of Windsor, CT; one brother, Coleman Willis Jr. (Eva) of Kentucky; goddaughter, Nettie Jean Miller of Brinson, GA; as well as, nieces, nephews, other relatives and close family friends.