Barbara Jean Davis

Barbara Jean was born to Steve and Hazel Evans on April 11, 1950, in Lagrange Georgia. She was the second child born of this union. Their family along with her older brother Randolph moved North to Cleveland that summer. All three most cherished family members preceded Barbara in death.

Barbara affectionately known as BJ by those closest to her, attended Cleveland Public School System and dedicated her life to Christ at an early age, she was baptized at Beulah Baptist Church in 1979 and later join Abyssinia Baptist Church in 1995 under Pastor Leo Pinkard where she remained a member.

BJ not only accepted Christ at a young age but she also married early to Roy Davis where she first gained the job title, she cherished most of MOTHER. While they may not have stayed in love with each other, they remained close friends and married until his death in 2006.

BJ will be remembered as a celebrated cook and homemaker but most importantly as MOTHER. She was a most devoted mother, grandmother and friend. There was never a hungry soul in her presence and surely not in her home.

BJ's' greatest attribute was her humanity and her calling to care for others. She would open her kitchen and her home to all who needed it. Bj believed in and instilled in her children and grandchildren the beauty of commitment and dedication to your family and friends. Bj made sure that every holiday or Sunday, they spent it together with a table full of food to show her love for them. Raising a whole generation of children after her own including grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a couple of neighborhood kids. She was a true monarch not only to her kids but the neighborhood as well and to them she will forever be Auntie Barbara.

Anything BJ did, she did it with style, pizzazz and a great sense of humor. She was always the life of the party and made sure her kids didn't want for anything working at Standard Products and Dirt Devil to ensure that. There was never a holiday that passed without robust celebration and joy. Bj used her panache and popularity to form the Diamond Social Club of which she served as President. Barbara was also an avid reader, and her witty banter made that clear. We will miss her teasing jokes, her love of spilling the Tea, and for me her smothered pork chops and tomato gravy. Rest Well Barbara Jean.

Barbara is survived by her children Tawaniki Wright (Earl) Donald Taylor (Kim) Shetika Vallentine (HaKim) and Michael Ford all of Cleveland, Ohio. Grandchildren Tiffany, Tasha, Teanna, Tara, Tyrell, Steve, Bianca, Naya, Tierra, TyeZohn, Brandon, Torron, SheMikah, Nani, Donald Jr, and HaKim II. Great Grandchildren Jessica, Paige, Nyla, 2 Chainz, Pierre, Tianna, Zayden, Royal Blue, Samiyah and Kimri. Siblings Annette Gainer (David) of Port Richey Florida, Dwayne Evans of St. Petersburg Florida and Renee Tate of Cleveland, Ohio. A special nephew Anthony and niece Adrienne, goddaughter Kimberly Henderson. Barbara also leaves best friends Shirley and Arlene and companion Lott Smith to celebrate in her absence. Along with a host of nieces, nephews and friends. And while we all our mourning her we can also hear her saying "Bet nobody mess with Big Bootsie or Baby Pierre. BJ we will miss and honor you forever.