Ruth Frances (Williams) Davis

This is Her Story

Ruth “Boots” Frances Williams Davis was born on July 20, 1927 to Lela Lee and William Ezell in Spiro, Oklahoma.  (Her Uncle Buddy nicknamed her “Boots” because when she was born, he said she was so tiny she could fit in a boot.)  Ruth’s family moved to Kansas City, Kansas when she was two years old.  She attended Douglass and Grant Elementary Schools, Northeast Jr. High, and graduated from Sumner High School, Class of 1945.  She then attended Kansas City, Kansas Junior College graduating from the School of Cosmetology in 1946.  Ruth began work at Sue Loving Beauty Shop and was there for many years.  She loved to cook and made a career change cooking for many cafes and restaurants in the Kansas City area including the Lake City War Plant and Addie Williams Café where she met the love of her life, Otis Davis.  They married on December 22, 1951 and remained married until his death in 2008.  They were marred for a blessed 57 years.  To this union two children were born, Frances Denise and Frank Lynn.  Ruth was a very active parent while her children were in school.  She was active in the PTA and served as Room Mother, Savings Bonds “Stamp Lady”, and walked the students every Wednesday to “Weekday Church School”.  She later help organize and was co-leader (along with the late Mrs. Pauline Franklin) of the Camp Fire Girls at Lowell School, and later was Den Mother with the Cub Scouts.  Hence this began her work with youth and the community.  Ruth began work for the Economic Opportunity Foundation where, she taught cooking, nutrition and sewing classes to the youth and young Mothers. 

In later years she recruited neighborhood youth to attend field trips to venues such as the Starlight Theater, bowling, ice skating, roller skating, the movies, and many other activities that inter-city youth would otherwise not have the opportunity to attend.  After working 15 years for EOF, she began to work at City Hall in Kansas City, Kansas serving in the   Community Development Department until she retired in 1995, so she and her husband could raise her great nephews William and Brannon.

Ruth accepted Christ at the age of 12 at Olivet Institutional Baptist Church in Kansas City, Kansas under the late Rev. Fisher.  She was active in Deborah Circle Mission, the Choir and many plays.  In the early 80’s she and her husband joined Greater Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church under the late Rev. William Thomas Jr. where she and her husband, were both ordained Deacon and Deaconess.  Deaconess Davis was appointed to organize the first Mission Auxiliary at Greater Emmanuel.  After receiving training from the Progress Missionary Baptist District, she organized the Mission at Greater Emmanuel until her health begin to fail. 

Ruth was called home to be with the Lord on April 8, 2020.  She is preceded in death by both parents; brothers, Frank and Charles; sister, Loraine Williams; husband Otis L. Davis; and great nephew William Brooks. 

She leaves to cherished memories to her sister, Deola Hamilton, Cleveland, Ohio; daughter, Frances Sheppard (David Sr.), Kansas City, Kansas; son, Frank Davis, Kansas City, Kansas; grandson, David Sheppard Jr., Kansas City, Kansas; nephews, Brannon Brooks, Kansas City, Kansas; Carl Edward Parks, Kansas City, Kansas; Walter Piercey, Kansas City, Missouri; Clinton Joey Ezell (Yvette), Poteau, Oklahoma; very special and longtime friends, Rev. James and Mrs. Susan Meador; John Rost; Carolyn Cobb; Linda Carr; the church family at Greater Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church; a host of relatives and friends.      

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