Deaconess Blondell Jamison Davis

BLONDELL departed this life on Monday morning, January 10, 2022, at her residence in Orangeburg, South Carolina.  She was born on February 28, 1942, in Orangeburg County, SC.  She was the first child of twenty-three siblings, to Mamie Jamison (Joe Nathan) Davis and Virgil Brown, Sr.  She was reared in the home of her grandparents, Willie Jamison and Ruth Minson Jamison.

She received her early education at Orangeburg County Public Schools. Mrs. Davis later graduated with the Class of 1961 from Wilkinson High School, Orangeburg, South Carolina.  She loved sports and was noted as being a successful Track Star and setting the girls’ long jump record in high school.  She credited her uncle for her track ability.  She represented the Wolverines well as an athlete.   

She was married to Leroy Davis on September 22, 1962 (58 years).  To their union, three children were born.  In their home, they also reared an abundance of family members. 

During her teenage years, she worked as a housekeeper for various families in Orangeburg, South Carolina.  Before retiring, she was employed for 32 years at Mayer Industries, Orangeburg, South Carolina.

BLONDELL was baptized at the age of seven and faithfully served for 72 years at the Warren Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Orangeburg, South Carolina.  She was guided under the watchful eyes of Deaconess Dorothy B. Sabb and other Church Leaders.  At an early age, she often walked many of the younger neighborhood children to and from church, Sunday school, choir practices, revival meetings, bus trips to Atlantic Beach, and many other activities.  Over her years of dedicated service at Warren Chapel, she was assigned the task of assisting with establishing a youth group to participate with various other Baptist churches in the Mt. Pisgah Union.  She also served as Sunday School Secretary and a Teacher; a Vacation Bible School Teacher; a Youth Choir Advisor and Driver; an Advisor for many church plays and performances; a Former Advisor to the A. C. Wright Singers; a Bible Study Teacher; a Bible Scholar Advisor; an Usher; a Deaconess; a relentless Church Fundraiser; a Senior Citizen Bible Study Member; a Kitchen Committee Cook and Member; and a Praise Team Advisor.  She was the Former Vice President of the Bull Swamp Live Working Ushers & Choirs Convention and a Former Missionary of the Mt. Olive Association.  She worked many years with the Mt. Pisgah Union and helped form The Reverend James Jeffcoat Union Choir, formally known as The Mt. Pisgah Union Mass Choir.  She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary; Head Advisor of the Junior Union of the Mt. Pisgah Union; and so many other church duties.  In 1998, she was recognized and honored as being one of the “Shining Stars” at Warren Chapel.  She served with dedication until her health began to fail.

BLONDELL was the first African-American woman to join the Orangeburg Women’s Bowling League after the Orangeburg Massacre on February 8, 1968.  She was also the first African-American asked to serve on the Executive Board of the Women’s Bowling League.  After joining this Executive Board, she worked tirelessly in recruiting other African-Americans to join in leadership roles along with her.  In addition, she encouraged others to join in various bowling leagues.  She served as the Secretary of the Mayer Bowling League, which traveled and participated in many Bowling Tournaments all over the USA.  Many of the bowlers that she recruited are currently still going strong. 

BLONDELL and her family were members of the Unity Club of Orangeburg, South Carolina.  This club was made up of thirteen families.  She was a member of the Black Heritage Social Club.  She was a Pitcher for the Mayer Softball League and enjoyed leading her team to many championship games.  She enjoyed reading, writing/journaling, traveling, sewing, belly dancing, and spending time with her family.  She also loved to cook for her family and friends and was well known for making her famous ‘Fair Award Winning Butterhorns,’ her potato salad, and her Unforgettable Candied Yams!

She was preceded in death by: her parents; her grandparents; her husband; her siblings, Mamie Ruth Davis, Jonathan Davis, Joann D. Coulter, Andrew L. Davis, Nesbert L. Davis, Marie D. Snell, Mary D. Govan, Jeanette Brown, Virgil Brown, Jr., Heyward Brown, and Kevin Miller; and one nephew, Timothy “Ned” Evans.

DEACONESS BLONDELL J. DAVIS leaves to cherish her legacy and fond memories: one daughter, Mamie D. (Wilbur) Huggins, of Orangeburg, South Carolina; two sons, Kenneth L. Davis, of Orangeburg, South Carolina, and Reverend James T. (Katinia) Davis, of Elgin, South Carolina; four grandchildren, LaShanna K. Davis, Arcamia D. Smith, and Marquis D. Huggins, all of Orangeburg, South Carolina and Andrea L. Davis, of Elgin, South Carolina; nine great-grandchildren, Haili Holmes, Alauni Davis, Za’Riyah Smith, Dylan Davis, Kaiden Huggins, Carter Davis, Ramel Hopkins, Lamar “Quan” Green, and Rondriekas “RJ” Darby; three siblings reared in the home, Elizabeth D. Hopkins, Carolyn D. (Anthony) Anderson, and Benjamin Davis (Cynthia), all of Orangeburg, South Carolina; two nieces reared in the home, Valerie Hopkins-Darby and Davida Hopkins, both, of Columbia, South Carolina; siblings, Mozelle D. Haynes, Alma J. (Leon) Pough, Moses Jimmy (Laura) McCants, Victoria Burks, Merella Parker, Charles Brown, Donald Brown, Natalia B. (Lyndon) Wright, and Sophie Miller;  in-laws, Bessie Pearl Davis, Ruby S. Davis, Catherine Davis, all of Orangeburg, South Carolina, and Frank (Sarah) Davis, Jr., of Cordova, South Carolina;  one uncle, Jessie J. Jamison, Sr., of Orangeburg, South Carolina;  a goddaughter, Tracey Jenkins (Edgar) Kollison, of Bowie, Maryland; a host of very special nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandnieces, great-grandnephews, other family, and friends.

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