Mrs. Birdia Lee Davis

Birdia Lee Willis, affectionately known as "Birdie", was born on Tuesday, November 8, 1938, in Columbia, MS to Andrew and Lucy Mae Willis. She was the second of nine children born to "Mother and Daddy". She lived in Columbia, MS in her earliest years and later moved to Terry, MS before moving to the New Hope area at the age of nine, where she met her future, but just didn't know it yet. She was well known for her intelligence and quick wit while she was in school at New Hope and is said to have been one of the best daughters and big sisters one could ever hope for. She was also one of the best cotton pickers around as a youth, but vowed that her adult life would not include picking cotton. She would get educated and one day own her own business, and she did just that. She graduated from New Hope in 1955 and later married Calvin Dixon. The two were married for a short period of time, but welcomed their only child, Carolyn Denise. As fate would have it, she was reunited with her one true love from high school, Wallace Davis aka "Honey". The two were united in holy matrimony in March 1960 on St. Patricks' Day and began their lives together as a blended family with Alvin Jerome Davis, Carolyn Dixon and Vivian Davis. They later welcomed Dwight, gwendolyn, Jacqueline and Andrea (Quette. Birdia accepted Christ and was baptized at an early age. After she married Wallace, she moved her membership to New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Pearl, MS. There she served faithfully over 60 years until her health failed. She was an usher for decades and a Mother of the church for the more than a decade in the last years of her life. Birdia followed her passion for caring for others and got her certification as a CNA. She later followed her main passion and obtained her license as a Board-Certified Cosmetologist in September 1966. She got her start in private beauty shops, but later went to work at the MS State Hospital (Whitfield) so she could have weekends to work in her own shop and be with her children. She worked there for several years and retired in the late 1980's after over 20 years of state service. She later obtained her certification to teach and became an Instructor of Cosmetology at Vogue School of Cosmetology in Pearl, MS. An entrepreneur at heart, from the late 1960's until her health failed her in 2024, she owned her own beauty shop, Birdia's Place, where she was known for her "growing hands". Though she continued to operate her salon, she decided to turn in her instructor's hat and return to work for the state. For a short period of time, she worked in the Richland High school cafeteria and later at Brandon High, occupation turned into vocation as she began working with special needs children.She and her beloved “honey” would eventually retire from full-time employment, but continued their devotion to the children and to each other when she became the bus driver for the special needs children and he became her bus monitor for several years until they both retired fully in the early 2010's. After her honey passed away in 2015, still wanting to be of service, she became a foster grandparent at Hudspeth Center in Pearl, MS until 2023. Birdia was a member of the Heroines of Jericho as well as social and travel clubs. She was always well known for "doing hair", sewing and as an excellent cook. During the holidays, her family looked forward to her cornbread dressing, ambrosia salad, yams and pecan and sweet potato pies. She was known just as well for her favorite saying. When someone got under her skin, she would say "Let me tell you one thang" with that finger pointed to the side. She was also known for always having perfect hair and as a snazzy dresser with shoes, purses and jewelry to match each outfit. She found great joy when people would always say she looked much younger than her age. She loved to travel with family and friends, especially cruising and trips abroad. She loved her over 100 owls in her collection. he was also an avid sports fan who loved the New Orleans Saints and attended many of heir games. To know her was to love her. To have her as a friend meant you had a friend for life. Hating to see others suffer or be without, she also became a surrogate mother to many who had lost their mothers. On Saturday, December 20, 2025 at 8:02 a.m., destiny collided with fate and Birdia ended this earthly life with her children surrounding her. She lived from November 1938 - December 2025. The dash represented a wonderful life well-lived and definitely, well-loved. Despite her pain, especially after suffering the loss of two oldest children, her faith never waivered and only became stronger. We thank God for the 87 wonderful years god allowed us to have our topaz jewel with us. We're sure there were many times she reminisced about her loved ones and friends that had gone on before her including her parents, Andrew and Lucy Willis, her parents-in-law, Jeff and Willie Mae Davis, her beloved husband of 55 years, Wallace, her precious son Jerome Davis and precious daughter Carolyn Washington, grandson, Chauncey Dion Dixon, her dear son-in-love, Bruce Bender, niece Linda Lindsey, nephew Adrian Pettway, sisters-in-law, Marie Jones and Ruby Mannery, friends Claudia Jones, Lou Duplessis and Lillie Lewis and any others she held dear. Cherishing her beautiful memories and praying for God's strength are her children: Dwight (Connie) Davis, Gwendolyn (Elvis) Wade and Andrea (Charles) Hendricks, all of Pearl, MS, and Jacqueline Bender (Bruce) of Florence, MS and son-in-love Harry Washington of Richland, MS; her siblings Ethel Russell and Johnny (Renee) Willis of Jackson, MS, Bettye Pettway and Andrew Willis of Pearl, MS, Sylvia Willis Hunt of Richland, MS, Linda (William) Cross of Clinton, MS and Gregory (Allean) Willis of Florence, MS. She also leaves to cherish her memories her beloved grandchildren Chameka and Derrell, whom she raised, along with Doug, Teyienne, Charisse, Mitoya, Jericho, Michael, Jairus, William, Meghan, Garrett, Ajia, Candice, Edwin, Breanne, Ashley, Austin, Colin and Chad as well her 20 great grandchildren who absolutely adored their G-Granny. Also cherishing her memory are her goddaughter, Bobbie Nell Johnson, her special girl and travel roommate, Melissa Robinson and her very dear best friend, Gwen Johnson and friends Shirley Adams and Helen Johnson as well as her work buddies who became lifelong friends as well as her neighbor Casey Shaw, who became like son to her and her special niece, Bobbie Mannery. There are many other nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends that are too numerous to name, but know the love she had and showed for each one of them, especially her pastors, Lamar Boone and Kenneth Adams and her beloved siblings. So take your rest now our dear Birdia. You have fought the good fight and won the victory as you now rest in the arms of Jesus. Well done good and faithful servant - WELL DONE!

Mrs. Birdia Lee Davis

November 8, 1938 - December 20, 2025