- Date Of Birth: December 5, 1922
- Date Of Death: November 25, 2021
- State: Ohio
Roberta Davis departed this life November 25, 2021.
Roberta Jayne Reynolds Gibbs Davis (Mom, Nanny, Aunt Jayne, “Bertie”) was born December 5, 1922 to Herbert and Margaret M. Reynolds in Athens, Ohio. Her family settled in Athens after traversing and navigating through the Underground Railroad.
Roberta was baptized at Mt. Zion Baptist church at an early age. She enjoyed church, Sunday School and played piano for the Sunday School Department. She especially enjoyed B.Y.P.U. and attended many conventions.
As a child she liked “working” in the beauty shop with her aunt Addie and playing with paper dolls, and coloring in her many coloring books.
As a teen Roberta played basketball in high school. Roberta graduated from Athens High School as in inductee into the National Honor Society. She received the Bachelor of Arts in Education from Ohio University and Master of Education from Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. While attending O.U. she met and married Lawrence Gibbs to this union one daughter, Margaret was born.
Because segregation was so deeply practiced in Athens, she completed her student teaching in Middletown, Ohio. Her first principal was her aunt, Mrs. Ida Thompson. She also taught in Marietta and Columbus Public Schools where she touched any lives including Benny White.
When the big snowstorm in the 1970s hit, Roberta decided it was time to retire, but went on to tutor children in her home as well as to assist her daughter Margaret with her child-care business “The Kid Connection”.
She was later united in marriage with Timothy L. Davis. Together, they shared a very long and loving marriage. It was then she joined the Woodland Avenue Christian Church, where she enjoyed participating in the many activities and functions of the Church and was a member of the Women’s Fellowship. Sister Davis loved her church.
Roberta was quite the socialite, having belonged to many organizations including “The Unique Friends” and Semper Tidels Guild.
Roberta liked to garden. She and her husband Tim planted a vegetable garden each year and shared the produce with others.
Roberta Davis was Past matron of Ester Chapter #3 Order of Eastern Star, PHA; Honorary Past Commandress of Alla Baba Court #75; Member of Capital valley Assembly #36.
Roberta made her final dash into eternity on November 25, at her residence with daughter Margaret at her side.
