Mrs. Katie W. Davis

Only the Creator of the Fall day of September 14, 1933 knew the woman born the fourth child of twelve children to the late Alexander and Lucille Pearson Witherspoon was to be. The fact that it was in Sumter, SC made a difference. All the joy and reception of her birth fulfilled the destiny of the woman, Katie Louise Witherspoon Davis. Katie W. Davis was born in Sumter County and completed her education at Lincoln High School. In 1953, Katie was married to Joe Davis, Sr. to this union four children were born: Rosetta, Joe Jr., Clint, and Bruce. During this union, Katie joined Westminster Presbyterian Church, USA. Where she served as an ordained deacon, participated in the Presbyterian Women, and contributed to the evangelism, hospitality, and nominating committees. Katie pursued a career in nursing at Tuomey School of Nursing and began working at Tuomey Hospital on June 17, 1965. When Katie started working at Tuomey Hospital, she encountered segregation, with the hospital divided into "white" and "colored" sides and staff referred to her as "colored." By the time of her retirement in 2002, the hospital had desegregated. After retiring from Tuomey Hospital, Katie became the owner and operator of GG’s Daycare and co-owned Silverspoons soul food restaurant. Known for her love of children and her renowned home-cooked meals, she always extended an invitation to friends and family to enjoy a hot meal at her table. Katie was also deeply involved in her community. In her younger years, she was active in the Gamecock Lanes Bowling League, winning the league championship for 1989-1990. In 1965, she joined the Order of Eastern Star, Red Hill Chapter #157, where she served as Secretary. She was also the Mother Advisor of the Mary B. Thomas Youth Girl Circle. In 2017, Katie was awarded the Mother Advisor of the year of the Mary B. Thomas Youth Girls for the state of South Carolina. In 2023, Katie was recognized by the South Sumter Neighborhood Association as their Outstanding Citizen. Katie was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Davis Sr., daughter, Rosetta Davis Burson, and sons: Clint Davis and Joe Davis Jr.; as well as her grandson, Justin Burson. She was also preceded in death by siblings Lucille “Penny” W. Reynolds, Lubertha Witherspoon, Mary W. King, Sallie “Punkin” W. Blocker, Ruth W. Brown, Ulysses “Snuke” Witherspoon, Alexander “Duke” Witherspoon Jr., Robert “Sugar Boy” Witherspoon, and Nathan Witherspoon. Katie is survived by one son, Bruce (Briana) Davis, Columbia, SC ; granddaughters: Neshonda Parr (reared in the home), Rochelsa Burson, Dalaya Jones, and Shauna Johnson; grandsons; Cortez (Santana) Farmer, Corbin Farmer, Daquan Jones, Jaden Johnson, and Deangelon Johnson; eighteen great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson, Mason Burson; a sister Roberta W. Leverette, Sumter, SC, and brother, Ezekiel “Zeke” Witherspoon, Brooklyn, NY; god- daughters: Christie Simon, Cynthia Davis Kennedy and Faye Anthony;; family of love for Shawn and LaVonda Johnson, and Tia McDuffie, along with a host of other relatives and friends.

Mrs. Katie W. Davis

September 14, 1933 - July 7, 2024