Inez D. Carson

Inez Davis Carson was born on November 1, 1937, in Cordele, Georgia to Charlie and Wedie Mae Davis. She was the 13th of 14 children born to this union. During her formative years, Inez attended public schools in Georgia, Michigan and Florida. While in elementary school, Inez moved to Detroit, Michigan to live with her sister Edith and her family. Because she was not a fan of the cold weather and snow, Inez eventually returned to the sunshine state to live with her parents and siblings in Belle Glade, Florida. While attending Roosevelt High School in West Palm Beach, Florida Inez enjoyed performing as a majorette in the school band, before graduating high school.

On February 10, 1958, Inez married Bernie Lee Carson in West Palm Beach, Florida. Together they had Anthony Leotis Carson, Winifred Denese Carson, Darren Angelo Carson and Yolanda Lenette Carson.

In 1981, Inez celebrated one of her greatest accomplishments by having her family home built on 20th street in Riviera Beach, where she raised her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

As a young adult, Inez joined Gray’s Temple CME Church where she served faithfully as a member and president of the Missionary Board and Finance Board. Inez also enjoyed serving as a chaperone for the Youth Ministry and taking the group on numerous trips throughout the state of Florida.

Inez began working for Bell South Telephone Company in 1967. While working her way up through hard work and determination, Inez was able to assist in several key moments in the company’s history. In 1992, Inez moved to Miami, Florida to help repair the phone system after Hurricane Andrew devastated the area. In 1996, Inez was asked by Bell South to assist with the installation and operation of the phone system for the Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia. During this time, she was able to have some of the family members join her in Atlanta to attend several Olympic competitions, including men’s and women’s basketball, gymnastics, swimming, diving and track & field. On May 1, 1997, after 30 years of dedicated service, Inez retired from Bell South Telephone Company/AT&T. In 1998, Inez was elected as the president of Bell South Pioneers Palm Beach County Chapter, the renowned community service organization for retired Bell South Telephone Company/AT&T employees. For 15 years, Inez led volunteer projects in support of breast cancer awareness, education and literacy, children’s healthcare, heart attack and stroke prevention, homelessness prevention and more.

Inez was a fashionista who was well-known by sales associates in her favorite stores. In her spare time, Inez enjoyed daily trips to Singer Island to walk along the beach and collect seashells, watching All My Children and General Hospital, cheering for her beloved Los Angeles Raiders, Miami Heat, Atlanta Braves and The Williams Sisters, as well as attending the annual Edwards Family Reunion. She also enjoyed attending all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s extracurricular activities. You could always find her at a football or basketball game, track meet, tennis match, talent show or even a dance & cheerleading competition.

Inez lived a full life surrounded by family and friends. She remained strong as she had to endured the deaths of so many family members including her parents Charlie and Wedie Davis, husband Bernie Lee Carson, sons Anthony Carson and Darren Carson, as well as her grandson Angelo Carson. Inez was also preceded in death by her siblings Floyd Davis, Sr., Edith Davis Hicks, Wesley Davis, Beatrice Davis Bennett, Stanley Davis, Sr., James Davis, Sr., Catherine Davis Graham, Annie Kay Davis King, Doris Davis Harrell and Rudolph Davis.

Inez will be deeply missed by her two daughters Winifred Carson of Lake Park, FL and Yolanda King (Ricardo) of Riviera Beach, FL and her son Willie Bernard Davis, Sr. of Port St. Lucie, FL. Left to cherish her memory are her grandchildren Riunite Chimere Franks (Anton), Simone Jackson-Cook (Emanuel), Roger Jackson III (Tajahna), Destiny Carson, Angelo Carson, Rakyah King, Willie Bernard Davis, Jr. (Tina) and LaTisha “Nikki” Davis (Tim). As well as her great-grandchildren, Cornelius Terry, Ranyia Jackson, Taraji Jackson, Skylar Wright, Mark Wright III, Roger Jackson IV, Kali Lee Cook, Ania Franks, Emanuel Cook, Jr., Liam Kasik and Elizabeth Davis. Inez also leaves behind her sister-in-law Maple Davis of Riviera Beach, FL and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members and friends.

Inez was a remarkable woman who opened her heart and home to everyone she knew. No matter if it was a family member coming in from out of town, friends of her kids living in Broadmoor or those that attended Suncoast, students that went to JFK with her grandkids and great-grands or just simply a neighbor down the street, you knew that Inez Carson would always welcome you in.

Inez’s legacy of love, strength and faith will live on in all who knew her. Forever in our hearts, her love will never fade.