Valerie McDonough Bitzer Davis

Mrs. Valerie Bitzer McDonough Davis, a native of Mobile, AL and a long time resident of Whistler, AL was born on March 12, 1921 and died at her residence in Mobile on October 14, 2011. She was preceded in death by her husband of fifty-three years, William Henry McDonough; her husband of five years, Fred Ryser Davis; her parents, Geraldine and Charles Bitzer; and her great-grandson, John Michael McDonough. She is survived by her four children, Maureen (Harry “Skip”) Shirah, Mobile, AL; William Christopher McDonough, II (Priscilla), Orange Beach, AL; Timothy Charles McDonough (Kaye), Auburn, AL; and Shannon (Garrett) Poplin, Houston, TX. She has ten grandchildren: William Christopher McDonough, III, Briley Eugene Shirah (Karen), Justin Sean McDonough (Heather), William Bradley Shirah (Nicole), Carrie Elizabeth McDonough, Erin McDonough (Russ) Gavin, Colin Joseph McDonough, Kevin Patrick McDonough (Tara), William Garrett Poplin, and Charles Hallett Poplin; siblings: Dorothea Pollard, Yvonne Midgette, and Charles “C.G.” Bitzer; thirteen great-grandchildren, four step-daughters, Patricia (Ray) Kimbel of Longwood, FL; Carol (Tony) Wakefield of Kamas, UT; Edna (George) McDade and Judy (Mark) Chambers of Bluffton, SC; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Mrs. McDonough was active in many Catholic service organizations. A long time member of St. Bridget Catholic Church in Whistler, AL, she served for many years as the president of the Altar Society. After moving to Mobile, She was a member of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church. Over the years, she served as Past-President of the Mobile Deanery ACCW, the St. Mary’s Home Auxiliary, and the Ladies of Charity. Also, she was a member of the Allen Memorial Home Auxiliary, the Little Sisters of the Poor Auxiliary, and the Burse Club. In 1978, Bishop John L. May appointed her a chair-person of the Portier House and she served in that capacity for over 20 years. In recognition of her many years of distinguished service to the Church, she was awarded the highest medal that can be given to the laity by the Papacy, the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Medal in 1988 by Pope John Paul II. Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. on Sunday, October 16, 2011 at Radney Funeral Home, Dauphin Street, with the Rosary at 5:30 P.M. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, October 17, 2011 at 2:00 P.M. at St. Bridget Catholic Church in Whistler, AL. Interment will be in Catholic Cemetery. Special thanks to her caregivers, Valerie Norwood and Monica McCants. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Little Sisters of the Poor, 1655 McGill Avenue, Mobile, AL 36604 or St. Bridget Catholic Church, 3625 West Main Street, Whistler, AL 36612.