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Shirley Jean Davis

Shirley Jean Davis

August 09, 1943 - November 21, 2017
N. Chesterfield, VA

Shirley Jean Davis

August 09, 1943 - November 21, 2017
N. Chesterfield, VA

Obituary

Davis, Shirley Jean Cole Quesenberry, also lovingly known as Nanny, 74, of Richmond and formerly of Elizabethton TN., found peace on November 21, 2017. She was preceded in death by a son, Thomas A. Davis III, her parents, Rube and Rosa Cole; brothers, Richard Lynn Cole and Carson Wayne Cole, husband’s Edison Quesenberry and Thomas Davis Sr. Shirley was the epitome of a coal miner’s daughter, having lived in the mining town of Carretta, West Virginia while growing up. She claimed Loretta Lynn wrote that song about her, we know she didn’t but hey, we were smart enough not to argue with her about it. She swore that she was barefoot in the summer and that in the winter, she and her brothers Richard and Wayne took turns going to school because they had to share 1 pair of boots. She was 15 years old before she had a pair of bloomers that didn’t say Martha White Flour across the butt. Which given the fact that having a brand name designer written across your backside is now fashionable, our mother was a fashionista before her time. Her fondest childhood memories included learning how to cook as soon as she was big enough to stand on a chair, working the farm fields in the summer and hiding after dinner in an apple tree so she wouldn’t have to do the dishes. She dropped out of school in the 10th grade, dazzled by the prospects of the bright lights, big city, 1 stoplight town of Hillsville, VA, she left West VA for her first real job as a waitress in a truck stop. While working, she eventually married and had the first 2 of 4 children. Her first husband Edison was taken too soon, leaving her to be a young widow. She met Thomas, remarried and moved to Richmond VA, where she had her last 2 children. She was a waitress at Shoney’s on Belt Blvd for over 20 years, retired and went to work for Southland Corporation at the 711 on Chester Rd for 15 years. She and her niece Gwen Adams ran that store until she retired again. Gwen also precedes her in death. Though she only had a 10th grade education, she was full of useless bits of information and an abundance of knowledge, gleaned from the school of hard knocks. If the producers of Jeopardy had only allowed her to smoke on stage, she would have held the record for the longest winning streak. She was able to check a big item off her bucket list, when she met, ‘her man’, Snoop D-O-Double G. Oh she was on cloud 9 that day and we are so thankful for his kindness towards her. That was the first time she had been out of bed, out of the house in weeks, and she eagerly sat without complaint for 2 hours in the sun, waiting to meet Snoop Dogg. She told him then and she meant it, that she bet he didn’t know his biggest fan was a 73 year old white woman who loved him to pieces. She never left the house or the bed again after that momentous day. What a precious memory he gave to us. She had such a formidable spirit about her. She never backed away from a fight. She never took any crap off of anyone, she’d get knocked down 8 times and stand up 9. Her passion for women’s rights, civil rights and just plain standing up for what was right was passed along to her kids. She is survived by a son, Martin Randall Quesenberry of Winchester VA, daughters, Kathy Quesenberry Brewster (Edward) and Dana Davis Sikon She had a love for animals, especially her beloved dogs. She also enjoyed crocheting and was known for making beautiful afghans for her family and friends. Shirley Jean Cole Quesenberry Davis was a force to be reckoned with, full of spunk and determination. She lived life on her own terms and fought for what she believed in. Her legacy lives on through her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who carry on her passion for standing up for what is right. A visitation was held on November 24, 2017, at Morrissett Funeral and Cremation Service in Richmond, Virginia. The family requested casual attire for the service. Following her wishes, she was cremated and interred alongside her son Tommy in the Blevins Cemetery in Stoney Creek, Tennessee. In lieu of flowers, the family requested donations to the Planned Parenthood Chapter in Richmond, Virginia, or a charity of one’s choice. The family also encouraged everyone to celebrate Shirley’s life with a game of bingo and a gin and juice in her honor.

Cemetery

  • Date & Time: No Date & Time
  • Venue: Blevins Cemetery
  • Location: Stoney Creek, TN - (Get Directions)

Funeral Home

  • Date & Time: No Date & Time
  • Venue: Morrissett Funeral Cremation Service
  • Location: 6500 Iron Bridge Road North Chesterfield, VA 23234 - (Get Directions)
  • Phone Number: (804) -27-5-7828

Visitation

  • Date & Time: November 24, 2017 (12:00 AM)
  • Venue: Morrissett Funeral Cremation Service
  • Location: 6500 Iron Bridge Rd N Chesterfield, VA 23234 - (Get Directions)
  • Phone Number: (804) -27-5-7828

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Obituary Video Link

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18 responses to Shirley Jean Davis

  1. Sue says:

    Sorry, I did not know she had died. Sending my prayers to each and all. Will be in touch! Gma Sue

  2. Margie says:

    I can’t possibly come up with the words to describe how wonderfully you treated me and my children, as though we were your kids too. Nanny, you will be so, missed but I am glad to know you’re finally at peace. My heart and my love go out to Dana and the family, it’s good to know you have so many loving friends and family looking out for you. I love you.Hmmmm, perhaps a bingo game this week is in order. 🙂

  3. Andrea says:

    My husband and I just read Ms Shirley’s obituary in the RTD. We thought the obituary was on the best we’ve every read. What a tremendous life. Heaven has a new angel for sure! Ms. Shirley – Please say “hello!” to my Mom (Ms. Hazel). Y’all will get along swell.

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