Sophia Josephine (Oakley) Davis

Obituary “We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:8 Sophia Josephine Davis is present with the Lord. She is dancing with the angels. She is towering over all of us, pain free, worry free, clothed in God’s finest. She stepped out of this mortal coil and stepped into Glory on February 22, 2020. Her spirit is free, and she is exploring God’s heavens with her beloved Jake Davis (who passed on February 22, 2018), her eldest daughter Kathy Davis, and other loved ones who preceded her in death. If we could custom make the new bodies we get when we enter eternity, Sophia’s custom order would have been for one that was at least a foot taller that the one she was given on earth.The family always teased her about her height. Her uncle Otto Dandridge always liked to tell people how she was so short as a child she could walk under his coffee table! The space allotted here can not begin to tell the story of what a giant she was in the lives of so many people, but here is a glimpse of the portrait of the masterpiece called “Jo” Davis. She was born April 5, 1937. She graduated from Ward High School in Kansas City, Kansas, and married the love of her Life Jake Davis. Their love story began when Sophia was sweet 16! Sophia Jo and a friend were entering a movie theatre one day when Sophia spotted Jake and was quite taken by him. As the girls entered the theatre, Jake told them he would be waiting for them when the movie was over. Sophia didn’t really take Jake seriously, but to her surprise, he waited and drove both of the young ladies home. When they got to Sophia’s house, she insisted that Jake come in to meet her mother and grandmother because it was only proper since he drove her home…and the rest is history. Sophia married Jake on March 24, 1956, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Kansas City, Kansas. They were married for 62 years when Jake passed away February 22, 2018, exactly two years before Sophia. Sophia leaves behind to cherish her memory, her devoted daughter, Liesa Marie Brown, her son Jake C. Davis Jr. (Nina) and son James Craig Davis; along with a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, relatives and friends. Sophia was the first African American Deputy Constable in the 3rd Magistrate District of Jackson County. She also worked for Burns and McDowell, Helzberg Jewelers Credit, St. Therese Little Flower Church, St. Monica Catholic School and was a contract recovery management consultant. Sophia wore many hats throughout her life, both literally and figuratively. Anyone who knew her can attest to how she loved to complete any outfit with a hat; and ‘oh’ how she wore them well! One “hat” that was dear to Sophia’s heart was that of being an active member of her church community. She loved fundraising and doing whatever she could to bring aid to her community at St. Therese Little Flower and her school community. Jo spearheaded the 75th Anniversary Celebration of St. Therese Parish and did it with class and style at the Downtown Marriott Hotel. For several years, she was the “Queen of the Ice Cream Social”, securing all kinds of donations from businesses far and wide. She created the famous “walking taco” that those who came to the social enjoyed for several years. Sophia and Jake Davis were pillars of support wherever it was needed as long their health allowed them to be active. Everyone who remembers Sophia is asked to celebrate her in your own special way. Think of her spirit of kindness, humor and sassiness and let that guide you to do a random act of kindness in Sophia’s memory. A Memorial Mass will be held on Sat, March 7, 2020 at 10 am at St Therese Little Flower Catholic Church located at 5814 Euclid Avenue KCMO 64130. Visitation will be held at 9 am. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Sophia Josephine (Oakley) Davis, please visit our floral store. Read More

Sophia Josephine (Oakley) Davis

April 5, 1937 - February 22, 2020