Elizabeth H. Davis

Elizabeth H. Davis, 94, of Spring Lake Heights, NJ passed away in her home surrounded by her loving family, after a brief illness on October 29, 2019.  She was born Sarah Elizabeth Hancock on August 5, 1925 to the late Gordon Hancock and Della M. Wade in Roanoke County Virginia.

She was educated in the Salem Virginia School System.  Elizabeth graduated from George Washington Carver High School and then went to study nursing in North Carolina.  Her studies were shortened when she returned to Virginia to marry Lafayette B. Davis on Sept. 1, 1946.  From this union seven children were born.  Their marriage lasted for 68 years, until the passing of her husband in 2014.

Following the birth of their youngest child, the family relocated to New Jersey where she and the family joined her mother, sister and brother.  They worked hard, raised their children and built a family home in Spring Lake Heights.

Elizabeth was a mother and homemaker, but worked various jobs to supplement the family income. She attended school at night and completed her nursing studies and pursued a career in nursing.  She worked at Marlboro State Hospital in nursing services until her retirement. She was a loving, caring, and compassionate person who frequently brought patients home during holidays to share dinners with herself and her family.

She always enjoyed cooking and housekeeping.  Elizabeth was an excellent cook, and for a short time after her retirement, she operated a soul food restaurant in Neptune, NJ.  She was a woman of a few words, but when she spoke, everyone listened.

Elizabeth was a loving and caring mother who encouraged her children to pursue higher education, especially in the health sciences.  She and her husband instilled a great work ethic in their children and always provided care and support. 

Over time, she became the matriarch of the family spreading over five generations.  She was a phenomenal, loving and caring person who was known to her family for her love, care and patience with children. Gram's house became the place that grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins all loved to visit.  She put meaning in the song “Grandma's Hands” because she specialized in cooking, caring for her house plants, and keeping her house clean and organized.  Elizabeth ran her home in a caring fashion and always had her doors open to family and the friends of her children. However, she would “light you up” if you did not follow her house rules. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lafayette B. Davis Sr.; daughter, Deborah Jean; and son, Ronald Wayne. She leaves to mourn her passing five children, Gregory Alan Davis of Newark, NJ, Cheryl Williams of Spring Lake Heights, NJ, Lafayette Davis Jr. of Lakewood, NJ, Delores Nunnally of Spring Lake Heights, NJ, and Renee (Ronald) Johnson of Murphy, NC; 14 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren, 4 great great grandchildren, a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws, and others in her extended family.

She was loved by many and fondly known as Aunt Elizabeth.  Heaven just got another angel, but we’ll be missing Elizabeth H. Davis, RIP.

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