Gracie Davis' Obituary
Gracie Lee Davis, a beloved matriarch, cherished mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and a source of love and strength for her family passed away peacefully on June 4th, 2025 at the age of 88. Born on May 16, 1937, in Greenville, Mississippi, to Lily Boston and Earnest Davis, Gracie’s life was rooted in deep faith, unconditional love, and devotion to family.
In 1950, at the age of 13, Gracie and her family became part of the Great Migration, boarding a train bound for California in search of new opportunity and promise. They settled in West Oakland, where she attended Prescott Middle School and McClymonds High School and made lifelong friends who became extended family. She remained deeply connected to West Oakland throughout her life, faithfully attending the annual Mack Alumni Picnic and treasuring the people and memories she gathered there.
Gracie gave her life to Christ at an early age, and her faith was a constant light in her life. She never hesitated to share God’s love with others, often reminding people (stranger or family) that “Jesus loves you.” Her life was a living reflection of the hymn Blessed Assurance, filled with peace, grace, and perfect submission to the Lord. Over the years, she worshiped at Fairfax Deliverance Center and Saint Mark Missionary Baptist Church in Oakland, First Baptist Church in Pittsburg,The Salvation Army in Concord, and most recently, First Christian Church,in Antioch, California.
She was the proud mother of seven children: Tony Adams, Morris Jackson, Marilyn Wilson, Kenneth Wilson, Cornell Wilson, Eric Washington, and Phelisha (Lucy) Washington. But her nurturing spirit extended well beyond her immediate family. Gracie had a way of making everyone feel like family. Her love was generous, her heart open, and her home always welcoming.
For over 30 years, her home on 47th Avenue in East Oakland was the heart of the family. Simply known as “Grandma’s House,” it was more than a place—it was a feeling. It was where cousins made pallets on the floor for sleepovers, where games of four square, hide and seek, and kickball filled the front yard, where neighbors became extended family, and where birthdays, barbecues, and just-because get-togethers happened often. Her home overflowed with love, laughter, food, and the kind of connection that only she could inspire.
Gracie had a deep love for life’s simple pleasures. Two of her favorite pastimes—fishing and gardening—brought her both peace and joy. She also loved to travel, especially taking trips to Lake Tahoe and Konocti, where she could relax and enjoy the beauty around her. And anyone who knew her knew she enjoyed the excitement of visiting casinos—laughing, playing, and making memories with family and friends along the way. These getaways were a reflection of her fun-loving spirit and her belief in enjoying life to the fullest.
Gracie believed deeply in the power of family. She made sure everyone stayed close—gathering often to share meals, celebrate one another, or simply spend time together. Her home was always full of love, warmth, and a sense of belonging. Her strength and resilience were felt by everyone she touched, and her influence changed the lives of those around her for generations to come. Gracie’s legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.
She will be remembered not just for her strong faith and deep love for her family, but also for the quiet legacy she built through her presence and perseverance. Her life wasn’t about grand gestures, but about the everyday moments that created a lasting foundation of love.
Gracie was preceded in death by her mother Lily Boston, father Earnest Davis, and her beloved children Tony Adams, Marilyn Wilson, Kenneth Wilson, Cornell Wilson, her grandsons, William (Tanka) Turner and Kenneth (Kent) Shepard, and her very best friend Rose Young.
She leaves to cherish her memory and carry forward the light of her love: her children Morris Jackson, Eric Washington (his wife Marijo Washington), and Phelisha (Lucy) Washington; and her beloved grandchildren, whom she absolutely adored: Teaira, Tony, Tina, Jonathan and Kiauna (Adams); Selena, Amorris, and Alena (Jackson); Tiffany and Brandon (Turner); Kendra, Felecia, and Nicole (Wilson); Erica, Chanelle, Alysia (LeeLee), Eugene, and Jade (Washington); and Toshia and Langston (Curry-Cooper).
She is also remembered by a host of great-grandchildren, extended family, lifelong friends, neighbors, and her devoted church family.
Though she may no longer be with us in presence, the warmth of her love, her strength, and her enduring spirit live on in each of us. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.
What’s your fondest memory of Gracie?
What’s a lesson you learned from Gracie?
Share a story where Gracie's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Gracie you’ll never forget.
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