Obituary
Christine Beatrice Davis was born on May 5, 1914 to Mattie Smith and Oscar βCommodoreβ Julks in Reeves, Β Louisiana. She was later adopted by Joe and Pearl Bell of DeQuincy, Louisiana. She is often called Christine B. Davis, because the βB.β stands for Beatrice, Bell and Braggs. She was Β baptized at Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church in DeQuincy at the age of 11 in 1925, by the late Rev. A. Β Groves. The family moved back and forth from Dequincy to Houston, Texas due to her Β fatherβs job as a Railroad Brakeman. At age 16, she reconnected with her biological mother Β Mattie Smith Bragg, the Julks family, and 12 siblings in Farmerville, Louisiana.Β
While in Houston, she graduated as valedictorian of her Junior High class. She attended Β Phyllis Wheatley High school from 1928-1930. A very good, student, Christine displayed Β unusual potential for academic success, according to her principal of Wheatley, the late E. O. Β Smith. Christine was an outstanding cook, specializing in Cajun and southern foods. She loved traveling ,reading, fishing ,eating fish, camping and outdoor activities. Her last move to Houston Β from DeQuincy was in 1950. In Houston, she worked for over 20 years as live-in housekeeper Β for the Thomas family ,where she helped to raise 4 boys. Β (Jimmy, Stephen, Phillip and Allen)
She was married for over 20 years to the late Rurel Β Davis. She was the mother of two daughters: Β Nellie Pearl and Billie Marie, (Both born in DeQuincy).Β
When Christine moved to the southeast side of Houston, she joined Riverbrook Missionary Baptist Church , under the leadership of the late Rev. Oscar Hughes. Later when relocated to the southwest side of Houston, she joined Greater Friendship Β Missionary Baptist Church, where Dr. Rev. Johnny Goff Sr. is her pastor . Presently Christine is known as Mother Davis at Greater Friendship MBC. In her honor many celebrations are Β held in the βChristine Davis Fellowship Hallβ.Β
Preceding her in death are her parents, husband, Rurel; Β daughter, Billie Β McMiller Daniels; grandsons: Β Horace Charles Ray, Β Leandrew Ray, Β Walter James Ray; great-grandsons: Wayne Allen Jr. and Yeno Ray; brothers: Willie David, Napoleon, Theoleon, George , L. B. ,Huey P., Bobby Dean, and Nicholas; sisters: Lorine Ross, Taliatha Heard, Mattie Adell Davis, Β and Celia Ruth Julks.
She leaves to cherish her memory: daughter, Nellie L. Haller; grandchildren: Johnnie Jones (Willie), Lillie Allen, Emma Odom, Charles E. Moore (Cynthia) , Adrian D. Jackson (Debra) and Calvin Β K.Rayford,19 great grandchildren,17 great-great-grandchildren, 7 great-great-great grandchildren, goddaughters: Charlotte Clark Β (Thomas) and Georgia Robinson-Clark and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives.
