Cora T. Davis

Cora T. Davis, 92, of Topeka, KS died Monday, May 9, 2016 at Stormont-Vail Hospital. She was born in New York City in an area called Hell’s Kitchen – downtown New York City.  Her father, the late Charles Melvin Thompson, was a product of Alabama.  Her mother, the late Ruth Anne Johnson, was a product of Virginia.  Out of this union, there were 14 children, including a set of twins, Cora and Dora.  All of her siblings preceded her in death.  Cora attended Public School and Washington Irving High School.  She went on to OEC College of Business Administration.  Later, she took courses at Columbia University in Social Services.  Cora joined the Rescue Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Reverend Frank Nunn.  She was baptized in 1942 and spent the rest of her life in the Master’s service.  She was married to the late Deacon Henry Davis, Sr. and was blessed with two sons, Henry, Jr. and Michael as well as an adopted daughter, Cheryl René.  Cora and her husband were ordained together.  Deaconess Davis joined the Mt. Nebo Baptist Church in 1967 under the leadership of the late Reverend William D. Gardner and worked along with her husband until his death in 1970.  Cora’s total involvement in Mt. Nebo was well known.  Throughout her lifetime, she held the offices of Musician for the Sunday school; Sunday school Teacher; Member of the Senior Usher Board; Member of the Deaconess Board; Vice President and Financial Secretary; President of the Pastor’s Aide Club; Church Clerk; Secretary of the Mt. Nebo Tuskeegee Housing Corporation; Director of the Voices of Mt. Nebo; and served with the Gospel chorus.  She was a member of the Executive Boards of Local 91-105 and the Joint Board Local 23-25, and she was President of the Pastor’s Aide League of Greater New York and Vicinity, which she was instrumental in helping to organize.  She also worked with the election board.  Deaconess Davis worked for the Commissioner of the New York City Department of Employment, the Department of Special Programs, the Commissioner of City Works, and the Department of Economic Job Development.  Her last position was that of a Social Worker for the New York City Department of Housing and Services.  Her motto was “May the works I’ve done, speak for me.  Her favorite hymns were “My Hope is Built” and “At the Cross.”  She leaves to cherish her passing; two sons, Henry, Jr. and his wife Busunda Joy Davis of Topeka, KS and Michael Davis of New York City, an adopted daughter, Cheryl René Crowell and her husband James, of New York City, seven grandchildren (Lysa, Patrick, Michael, Jr., Kafahni, Sean, Laniece, and Michael, III, a great-granddaughter, Jaella May Davis, cousins, nieces, nephews, and a host of relatives and dear friends.  A personality to be remembered… she was different.  The family will receive friends from 4:00 until 8:00 PM Monday, May 16, 2016 at the Benta’s Funeral Home, 630 St. Nicholas Avenue, New York, NY. Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Tuesday, May 17, 2016 at the Mount Neboh Baptist Church, 1883 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd, New York, NY.  Cremation will follow the service.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Mount Neboh Baptist Church, 1883 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd, New York, NY 10026.