Catherine Davis

The Journey Catherine Davis was born on Decem6er 31, 1927 to Haywood Brown and Aline Pompey Brown in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. She and her younger brothers grew up in the rural farmlands of Eastern Carolina where hard work was the rule rather than the exception. She went on to attend Bricks Tri-County High School in Halifax, NC, where like other students, she realized that working in public service or manufacturing, offered more promise and less pain than farm work. After World War Two, Catherine and most of her family moved to Richmond,Virginia. Richmond was a city that thrived on the manufacturing of tobacco rather than the farming of it. Catherine's first job experiences were with retail and healthcare. In the years that followed she would meet and marry a young army veteran, Clyde L. Overton Sr. and have her only child,Clyde Jr. After several years, Catherine and her son moved to Queens, New York for a new start on life. Eventually she was remarried to the late John Davis. Later, she took advantage of an opportunity to work as the Chief Cook in a Catholic Convent. This was one of many events that would change her life. On the day her son returned home from 'Viet-Nam she cried out a "'Thank you Jesus". She felt relief and blessed. Invigorated, she went and got her driver's license and eventually found permanent employment with the New York City 'Board of Education. Working with dletitians, teachers ad students as a staff member of the School Lunch Program proved to be her most gratifying employment up until her retirement. Catherine's spiritual life began to flourish after becoming a member of Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church in Jamaica NY 42 years ago. Through the leadership of Rev. Dr. Charles Leslie Norris, Sr. and a small group of devoted Deacons and Deaconesses, she found a renewed commitment to Christ. She loved God and she loved Bethesda MB Church. Catherine was a member of the Helping Hands, the Missionary Circle, President of the December Birthday Club and finally, Church Mother. As a passionate fan of good gospel music, she helped market, promote, and sell tickets when needed. For years she worked the polls for the New York Board of Elections and encouraged citizens to ‘‘get out and vote". Her efforts were recognized in a special award from the NAACP. Though she has many awards for service and faithfulness, she was truly humbled by the Dedicated Service Award she received from Elder Jason D. Davis Senior Pastor and Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church. Catherine was a “people person “always willing to engage with others and not afraid to participate even when the bar might have been set too high. “Where there is a will there is a way". Many will remember her for her vigor and sense of style. Most of us will simply remember her as Mother. Mother of Clyde and wife Herty Grandmother of Lauryn Nicole and Kimberly Kathryn Church Mother of Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church

Tributes

Catherine Davis

December 31, 1927 - May 15, 2016