Maple Lene Davis

Today we gather to celebrate the homegoing of Sister Maple Lene Davis. Maple was a wonderful woman, adored mother, big sister, beloved grandmother, cherished aunt, admired cousin and dear friend to so many people who had the pleasure of knowing her. She passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by those who loved her on March 24, 2022.

Maple was born on March 8, 1936 to Curtis and Bertha Johnson in Terry, Arkansas. As the second oldest of eleven children, she as only able to obtain a tenth grade education during those times due to being needed at home to raise her younger brothers and sisters. She unselfishly served, with love.

Eventually she met Thomas Davis Sr., and they married on October 25, 1955. From that union ten children were born; six boys and four girls.

Maple accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior at a very young age. She attended church every Sunday in Arkansas before moving to Kansas City, Missouri, then to Omaha, Nebraska where she attended Ebenezer Baptist Church before becoming a member of King Solomon Missionary Baptist Church, where she attended faithfully every Sunday for the last 40 years of her life.

Maple loved socializing and having a good time, whether it was a few times a week playing bingo at the local bingo hall where they knew her by name, or hanging out on the weekend playing cards with her sister, or Pokeno with her friends while listening to the Blues, or being entertained by the kids.

Baking was her passion, and you couldn't say you knew her if you never got a chance to taste her Banana Nut Bread. In town or our of town, if you wanted some, she made sure you got it!

Even as her health started to fail, she still tried to find the humor in any situation and tried to make others laugh by being just as stubborn as ever, which made you love her even more.

Maple was preceded in death by her parents, Bertha and Curtis; the father of her children, Thomas Davis Sr.; Life Partner, James Jones Sr.; sons, Thomas Jr., James Earl, Sammie Lee, and Bruce; two sisters, Louvenia and Betty; and four brothers, Jerry, Roosevelt, Freddie, and Cornelius.

Maple is survived by her sons, Johnny and Maurice (Nina); step-son, James Jr. (Carma); daughters, Teresa, Yvonne (Jamie), Brenda, and Juanita; sisters, Alice, Dorothy, Willa and Jeanette; brother, Eddie (Belinda); special friend Martha Terrell; and a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren; along with other relatives and friends, too numerous to mention.