Betty J. Davis 1943-2025

She was born April 25, 1943, in Birmingham, Alabama, the daughter of Melvis C. Davis and Addie Bell Franklin Davis Jarrett.

Mrs. Davis was an entrepreneur with every fiber of her being. She exhausted all efforts in her pursuit of prosperity and living in the moment throughout her adventurous journey called life. She married at age 17 and moved to Kansas City, Missouri, as she raised her children, Tony, Vanessa and Rose.

Moving back to Warren at about age 28, she began working at The Avalon Golf and Country Club in Vienna as a waitress while going to school for cosmetology before remarrying, investing in real estate and beginning a long-term career at Packard Electric, during which time, she gave birth to her youngest child, Reema.

Years later, she moved to Phoenix, Arizona, and opened a Mexican restaurant, “The Greenway Bar and Grill.” She also owned an ice cream truck and a small taxi service at that time.

The need to be back home with family quickly became apparent, and she relocated back to Warren and opened two beauty salons, La’Chevelas Inc., which both did very well. She also became a seller of Mary Kay products and earned a pink Lincoln Continental as a top seller. She sold various crystal products as well, and somehow managed to find the time to continue her education, earning a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Kent State University, spending a short time as a police officer in Warren, and lastly earning her associate degree in forensic science at Gaston College in Gastonia, North Carolina, at the young age of 66, after returning from Tel Aviv, Israel, where she spent six years living between there and Be’er Sheva, Israel, as a Hebrew Israelite, and where she studied Judaism. Her mantra was to “always keep it moving,” and she taught that by example.

Throughout her young life, she was a Jehovah’s Witness for many years and then briefly became a member of a Pentecostal Church. In the year 2000, she became a member of the Institute of Divine Metaphysical Research of Warren before transferring to the Charlotte, North Carolina, branch in 2003.

Mrs. Davis is survived by her loyal, constant and committed daughter and caregiver, Reema Wilson-Owens of Charlotte, North Carolina; loving daughter and caregiver, Rose Williams of Kettering; a son, Anthony Butler; and a sister, Evelyn Conchita Witt Ruffin of Birmingham, Alabama.

She also leaves behind two grandsons, Danyell Butler of Concord, North Carolina, and Nuponu Gorneleh of Kettering; two great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews, who were also caregivers and exhibited unwavering love and support, Tammie and Curtis Shelby, Keelan and Kevin Harris of Warren, Pamela and Chris Blackwell of Columbus, Edwin and Anita Harris of Cusseta, Georgia and Steve and Crystal Hayes; a devoted friend and caregiver, Hilda Muwonge, of Charlotte, North Carolina; and a host of relatives and friends whom she touched in many ways.

She was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Vanessa Butler; her parents; one sister, Elizabeth Davis Harris; and brothers, Elgra “Ed” Davis, Melvis “Chucky” Davis, Arnold Davis and Cecil “Butch” Witt.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, at the Sterling McCullough Williams Funeral Home, with calling hours 10 to 11 a.m.

In honor of her wishes, she will be cremated after the service and her ashes will be buried in the grave with her daughter, Vanessa, at Oakwood Cemetery in Warren.

Arrangements of comfort were handled by the Sterling-McCullough Williams Funeral Home.

(special notice)