Mary Davis

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, ah yes, these things I too will miss.

The sweet life of Mary Louise Simpson Davis came to a close on December 26, 2022. Most noted for her fun-loving attitude, she leaves many memories and will never be forgotten. She was born to DL Simpson and Earthline Gipson Simpson on July 4, 1964, in Sparkman, Arkansas.

Her first encounter with the church was at Harmony Baptist Church in Sparkman where she was under the leadership of Rev. F. O. Jones.  After moving to Rockford, she united with Jerusalem Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Kline, and lastly, she united with Mt. Morriah Baptist Church under the leadership of her brother-in-love, Rev. Vernon Moody.                                                     

Mary was a proud 1982 graduate of Sparkman High School. She furthered her education and earned a diploma from Ouachita Vocational Technical School in Food Service Technology. She later moved to Rockford, Illinois, and started a family. 

She worked hard to provide and maintain a suitable home for her children Anthony, Allen, and Aysha. She loved the church and often found it to be her peace amid any storm. After moving back to Arkadelphia, she worked as a home health worker, where she made lasting bonds.  Mary enjoyed being in the company of family and she had a deep love for children. She was the “jokester” of the family and loved to kid around.

Mary always maintained a humble spirit. Her memory will enfold her smiles, her love, and her big sense of humor. She was preceded in transition her parents, Roosevelt Thomas (September 14, 2011); Earthline Thomas (August 14, 2020); and her father, DL Simpson (June 30, 2017).

She leaves her children, Anthony (Keisha) Simpson, Allen (Caprica) Simpson and Aysha Simpson all of Rockford, IL; her grandchildren, Ja’Tia, Ivani, Anthony, Jr., and Ka’Shawn; her siblings, Ruby (Vernon) Moody, Darrel (Lesa) Simpson all of Arkadelphia, Stanley Thomas of Sparkman and Gary Thomas of Hot Springs; a bonus sister, Jacqueline (Haja) Newburn of Arkadelphia; nieces and nephews, April (Bradley) Mitchell of Mesquite, TX, Kabreunna Thomas of Holly Springs, AR, Vernon (Laterica) Moody of Arlington, TX and Darrel Simpson, Jr., of Arkadelphia, AR; her godchildren, Dominique (Deka) Marshall, Shelina Henderson and Dameria Henderson all of Rockford, IL; uncles and aunts, Charles Allen, Aaron (Versie) Allen, Elder Milton (Debra) Allen all of Arkadelphia, Elijah (Patsy) Gipson of Rockford, IL, Rosie (Shelton) Davis, Shirley Thrower, and Maggie Thomas all of Arkadelphia, Bessie (Josh) Williams, Mildred (Jerone) Smith all of Rockford, Il and Charline (Phillip) Newell of Oakland, CA; a bonus aunt, Bobbie Walker of Sparkman, AR; as well as, a host of cousins, friends and the Mt. Morriah Baptist Church family.

Visitation will be Friday, January 13, 2023, from 12 noon – 6:00 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Williams Funeral Home. A homegoing celebration will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Mt. Morriah Baptist Church with Rev. Vernon Moody, eulogist, and Superintendent Leroy Williams, officiating. The interment will be at Harmony Community Cemetery in Sparkman.

Bearers of the casket will be Tarlesia Simmons, Marinda Turner, Carolyn Kincade, Annette Ochea, Desiree Lias, Andre Bullock, Calvin Bullock, Dexter Gipson, Rickey Gipson, Jamie Allen, Eric Allen, Jeffrey Allen, Bobby King, and Patrick Williams. Honorable to mention are the Sparkman High School Class of 1982.