May 23, 1938 – April 27, 2023
Blanche Jones Davis was born on May 23, 1938 in Prince George County, Virginia to James Jones and Roseanna Colbert Jones. At a very young age, Blanche learned about the Lord and through the example of her parents, formed loving, close relationships with her brother and sisters. The youngest of five, Blanche cherished the presence and protection of her older siblings and greatly enjoyed their comradery throughout the years.
She LOVED:
Her parents & siblings. The fact that all but one of Blanche’s siblings lived in the Hopewell, Virginia area, only reinforced the strong bond established in the Jones household. Even after marrying the love of her life and having children, Blanche and her sisters continually visited each other, attended the same church, shopped and enjoyed trips together causing cousins to feel more like siblings. During times of struggle, the Jones children shared what they had and found joy in just being together. Their close-knit bond was like no other.
Singing. All of the Jones children were gifted singers who used their talent to sing God’s praises. Blanche’s brother, Randolph, was part of a local quartet called the Hopewell Jubilee, and the girls formed a group that was affectionately called “The Jones Sisters.” Each of these groups regularly sung at various events. Accordingly, it didn’t take much for a family concert to take shape during family gatherings. Someone would break out in song and others would join in.
Throughout her life, Blanche sung on a number of choirs including, but not limited to: The Union Baptist Church Choir, Friendship’s Senior Choir, Women’s Choir, and Gospel Chorale, the Goodwill Chorus, the Bethany Baptist Association Choir, and the Petersburg & Vicinity Chapter of Gospel Music Workshop of America. After moving to North Carolina, Blanche joined the Bethel Baptist Church Choir.
Her husband. Blanche and James were married on May 3, 1958. Much of their young life was spent providing for their family, formed in the first 6 years of their marriage. Because of her love for James, Blanche kept a meticulously clean house, prepared meals, and tended to their four children. After the first three children were headed off to school and the youngest nearly of school age, Blanche started working to help the family budget. She waitressed for a short time, but spent most of her working years as a bus driver for Hopewell City Public Schools. After retiring, Blanche and James enjoyed many days together watching TV Land, eating out at restaurants, taking short drives, and attending church services primarily at Friendship Baptist. Through it all, God sustained their marriage nearly 59 years, until James passed in March of 2017.
Her children and grandchildren.
Nothing on earth meant more to Blanche than her family. She taught her children to respect their elders and authority, to work hard and use money wisely. Her loving ways, however, did not keep her from being a disciplinarian. With one look in their direction, she established order. Blanche modeled love, devotion to family and compassion for the less fortunate as she cared for her mother, siblings, nieces, nephews and others in need. Once everyone left home, Blanche cherished holiday gatherings and weekend visits with her children and grandchildren. She showered her grandchildren with hugs and gifts, always being sure to have food and goodies around the house that they liked. As she got older, Blanche constantly verbalized her desire for the entire family to live together.
The Lord.
Blanche’s mother Roseanna passed down her love for the Lord to her children. Accordingly, Blanche spent much time with the Lord and shared her faith with her children and James. During good and bad times, Blanche went to the rock of her salvation. It was nothing for Blanche and her girls to be at church all day on Sunday and then at area church revivals, anniversaries, and choir practices during the week. Eventually, James joined Blanche at church, accepting the Lord as his Savior several years before he passed away. And today, because of Blanche’s example, all of her children have a relationship with the Lord.
Following a stroke in October of 2022, Blanche returned from the hospital to her home of nearly nine years to recuperate. Although her health improved, Blanche required caretaker assistance 24 hours a day. On Dec 30, she became a resident of Brookdale Senior Living’s memory care unit just a few minutes away from her children, Cynthia and James. Her health continued to decline due to complications with dementia. At the end of her life, Blanche no longer called for James or burst out in song; she no longer recognized her children or desired to eat. On Thursday, April 27, 2023, following a one month hospitalization at Atrium Health, Cabarrus Hospital in Concord, NC, Blanche Jones Davis, devoted sister, mother, and grandmother left sickness behind, dawned her wings, and entered eternal rest. She will be greatly missed!
Blanche was preceded in death by her husband, James Davis, Sr.; parents, James and Roseanna Jones; brother, Randolph Jones; and sisters, Alice Wallace and Beatrice King, and granddaughter, Kelsea Randolph.
She leaves to cherish her memory: her sister, Indiana Delane; devoted children, Cassandra Meaney (Gary); James Davis, Jr. (Pamela); Randolph Davis; and Cynthia Randolph (Bernard); grandchildren, Stacey Davis; James Johns (Dawn); and B. “Miles” Randolph III; great grandchildren, Anyshia Davis; Ta’shon Miles; A’Drease Johns; Jaxon Miles: and A’Kemi Johns; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Services will be held 3:00 P.M., Friday, May 5, 2023, at Friendship Baptist Church, 1305 Arlington Road, Hopewell, VA, the Rev. Dr. Norwood G. Carson, Pastor, eulogist. The interment to follow at Appomattox Cemetery.
J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, watch the funeral services live online at www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.