Geneva Bell Davis

It is with sympathy, the management and staff of Slater's Funeral Home, Inc. announce the passing of Mrs. Geneva Bell Davis, Milledgeville, Georgia. Mrs. Davis passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 18, 2022 at her residence surrounded by family.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, June 22, 2022 at 11:00AM from Trinity CME Church 321 North Wilkinson Street, Milledgeville, GA 31061. The interment followed in the Baldwin Memorial Gardens. 

In lieu of flowers the family has asked donations be made in her memory to Trinity C.M.E. Church Missionary Department, Milledgeville. 

Geneva Bell Davis was born on February 15, 1927 in Baldwin County, Milledgeville, GA. Her
parents were the late Edward H. Bell and the late Geraldine Brantly Bell, pioneer citizens of
Baldwin County. She was the third of five siblings born to this union and represented four
living generations, the oldest being 95 years old and the youngest being eight months old.
Geneva was a 1944 graduate of Eddy High School under the principalship of Mr. M.A. Clarke.
She attended Paine College, Augusta, GA and matriculated during the summers at Fort Valley
State College, Fort Valley, Georgia.
 

At an early age, she and best friend, the Late Laura Pauline Johnson, joined Trinity C.M.E.
Church. Both young girls were active in Sunday school and attended Sunday School
Conventions. During one of those conventions, Geneva won first place in a curatorial speech
entitle, “The World of Tomorrow Will Belong To The Youth of Today”. Geneva remained very
instrumental in other areas of the church and along with the cooperation of her church family,
she has proven to be a very successful fundraiser for Trinity Church.
 

On May 16, 1948, Geneva married Oscar Davis, Sr., who passed away after fifty-one and a half
years of marriage. They raised four children together, giving them their love and support. She
enjoyed their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Before integration, Geneva taught school in several rural locations in Baldwin County;
including, St. Mary's Church School (Sparta Highway), Old Northside Elementary School,
Scottsboro Church School and Stevens Pottery School.
After retiring from the school system, Geneva joined with her husband and faithfully supported
him in several successful businesses he owned and operated.
Geneva Bell Davis was the first woman to be appointed and then elected to the Baldwin County
Board of Commissioners, serving two terms.
 

Although Geneva was not as swift as she once was, she still maintained her humble spirit,
mental capacity with all her physical parts in motion. She loved to cook her favorite foods.
Although she was fussed at for cooking by her family, they were the first seated at the table.
Geneva was indeed thankful for her longevity of ninety-one years. She felt secure that God still
had a plan for her life. She knew not the number of days, she had on this earth. She only knew
that she had made three score and ten but still claimed ninety-nine and one half won't do. She
lived by “Do unto others as you want others to do unto you.”
Geneva loved people, treated everyone with kindness and encouraged her children about
attitude, habits and personalities that can make or break them. Even at her present age, she
resented being told what she can or cannot do. Neither did she like the words, “Handicap
Accessible”. She was independent.
 

Everywhere she went and everyone she met, she greeted with a smile and sometimes gave a
hug. Geneva always sought out the good in everyone and spoke of them, the best she could.
She was very appreciative for all the kind words and expressions of love she received from
family and friends everywhere she went.
 

She is survived by her children; one sister; one brother; grandchildren, great grandchildren,
nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many, many friends.

You may express your condolences in our guestbook. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Geneva Bell Davis, please visit our floral store.