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NORVELLA DAVIS
Unfortunately Black America’s
children are educated in a society wherein they are considered a minority,
therefore they oftentimes fail to realize that many of the living
historians, who reside in their neighborhoods, or even in their own homes
were history makers themselves. And for that reason, African-American
News&Issues developed a very unique way of not only identifying, but
recognizing Black History makers, by seeking funeral programs that
celebrates the lives of African Americans who were born before 1925.
However, there is yet another secret behind the success of Fiesta’s Black
History 24-7-356 that makes it a tough act to follow. Truth is, the
publishers and managing editor of our publication knew many of those great
men and women up close and personal.
And for this reason, we can always contribute little known facts to our
Black History feature that adds to the outstanding contributions to our
community by people like Novella Davis, whose long and fruitful life was
celebrated on Jan. 17, 2004 at The Church of the Living God # 18, 2509
Burkett Street, with Bishop U. F. Ware officiating. The beautiful order of
service included Dr. Pamela M. Perry, Dr. Victory Perry, Dr. Lynne Bottigner,
and Sis. Hazel Harrell. Sis. Pearl Burrell, Dr. Angela P. Fortenberry, Dr.
Eula Faye Perry, Dr. Levi Perry, Christopher Perry, Esq., Dr. Diana Gilson,
Dr. Patricia Polosajian, Cmdr. Loring Isaac Perry, Lauren Perry, David Perry
and Marvin Weatherspoon, Jr. Vorise Guillory, Herman Davis, Jr., Loring
Isaac Perry, Raymond Jefferson, Victor Perry and Christopher Perry were
active pallbearers.
Michael Stratton, Roy Jefferson, Dewey Jefferson, Osby Mitchell, Yancy Davis
and Levi Perry, Sr. were honorary pallbearers for Norvella, who was born
Novella Davis was born May 18. 1908 in Shepard, Texas to Jim Stratton and
Ida Gary. History records that Norvella’s birth city is a small town emerged
in an area where settlements already existed. The earliest settlements were
Drew's Landing and Big Creek. They had been in existence since the 1830's.
The establishment of the town of Shepherd came through Benjamin Armistead
Shepherd, who founded the town after moving there in 1875. Shepherd came to
the area with the Houston East and West Texas Railroad. B.A. Shepherd
(1814-1891) was born on 14 May 1814, in Fluvanna County, Virginia. At the
age of 19, he met Sam Houston who would prove to be a lifelong friend.
Shepherd was involved in many businesses during his life, some of which
included: "Crawford & Shepherd" (1839); "Shepherd & Burke" (1842); "Houston
& Galveston Navigation Company" (1865); "B.A. Shepherd & Company" (renamed
"Shepherd's Bank" - 1866); and "The H.E. & W.T. Railroad" (1875). At that
time, three bands of Coushatta Indians lived in the surrounding areas. One
band, under Chief Colita, lived in the area known as Smithville. It was
located ten miles north of Drew's Landing. The second band of Indians lived
in the Coley Creek area. In fact, the Coley Creek Road (FM 223) is an old
Indian trail. The third band of Indians was Chief Mingo's. The area where
the Mingos lived, known as Swartwout, was in the area where the Lake
Livingston Dam now stands. Mr. Swartwout, who founded that community, was an
important figure in Texas history.
Norvella, however, wasn’t destined to be part of Shepard’s history.
Unfortunately the course of her life changed when her mother died at an
early age, and she was sent to Houston to be raised by Rose Robinson.
Fortunately, Rose did an outstanding job of raising Norvella, who was an
honor student at Old Colored High (Booker T. Washington), where she bonded
with many lifelong friends. She married Isaac Davis and enjoyed 62-years of
wedded bliss until he preceded her in death. However, she left two sons and
a daughter, who grew up and married her Phillis Wheatley sweetheart and
ultimately became the “better half” of the legendary Fifth Ward Perry
medical practice. Surely, it was Norvella, along along with her sister-in-
law Katie Mae Perry who were the driving forces behind the achievements of
her children and grandchildren.
The two outstanding women led by example, insofar as they were always
exploring new venues, such as touring the Holy Land together in 1976 as a
Mother's Day- gift from their children. Her passions in life were gardening,
fishing, sewing and attending the various activities of her grandchildren.
Norvella also was a member of Church of God # I8, Grand Court Order of
Calan-the.And one only has to know that she was friends with the legendary
football coach Frank Walker’s big sister, Lullelia Walker, to understand why
she was one of the early members of his beloved Gaff topper’s (Fishing)
Club. Later, she would make her mark as a member of The Married Ladies Rest
Club. But here most valuable contribution to the City of Houston, was the
role, of mother and grandmother she played in the lives of her children. She
delighted in seeing the high achieving family becoming healers and she
couldn’t have asked for a better son-in-law than D. Levi Perry. In essence,
Norvella Davis lived a long, wonderful and productive life, before God
called her home for her reward on January 12, 2004.
She is survived by two daughters, Miss Helen R. Davis and Dr. Eula Faye
Perry (Dr. Levi); ten grandchildren, Mrs. Joan Weatherspoon (Marvin), Mrs.
Julie Stewart (Michael), Dr. Lynne Bottinger (Dr. Erwin), Cmdr. Loring Isaac
Perry, M.D. USN, Dr. Angela Perry Fortenberry (Dr. Charles), Dr. Patricia
Polosajian (Dr. Leo), Dr. Victor Lynn Perry, Dr. Pamela M. Perry, Dr. Diana
Gilson (William), and Attorney Christopher Perry as well as eleven
great-grandchildren, Diana and Marvin Weatherspoon, Tonya and Michael
Stewart, Maximilian and Leopold Bottinger, Lauren and David Perry, Dewitt
Charles Fortenberry and William and Charlotte Gilson. She is also survived
by many other relatives and friends. |
