Gale Sutton Davis

Theresa Gale Sutton Davis was born on December 8, 1954 in Fort Worth, Texas. She was the third of five children born to Roosevelt Sutton and Berder Lee ("Bea") Sutton. The Sutton family resided in¬the historic neighborhood of Fort Worth commonly known as "Stop-Six" where they fellowshipped at the Antioch Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Charles B. Kelly. Gale attended primary school at Our Mother of Mercy Catholic School. Thereafter she received her high school education at Nolan Catholic School, where she graduated in 1973. Upon her commencement from Nolan, Gale attended the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Texas at Arlington, where she obtained a degree in biology. While in college, Gale joined the Zeta Mu Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated,

where she gained lifelong friends through the. common bond of sisterhood. Gale settled in Arlington, Texas where she became a member of Mount Olive Baptist Church and began her walk with Christ in June of 1978. During that time, she also launched her decades long career in the healthcare industry, working for Kaiser Permanente and Family Healthcare Associates. Gale's career in the medical profession allowed her to combine the skills from her education with her spirit of compassion to support' and comfort women, which was a passion of Gale's until her passing.

Gale met the love of her life, Horace A. Davis, Jr., in elementary school. Having been high school sweethearts, whose first date Was a Jackson Five concert with only one ticket - Gale and Horace were married on September 12, 1981 in Arlington, Texas at Mount Olive Baptist Church. Horace and Gale had two children, Allison Kyle (Davis) Degen and Tyler Anderson Davis. Wholly devoted to the rearing and education of her children, Gale suspended her medical career to stay home with Kyle and Tyler until they graduated from high school, after which she resumed her career advocating for at risk children with Child Protective Services. Gale was a staple at her kids' schools, volunteering for various committees and events, and even occasionally serving as a substitute teacher. She was a surrogate mother to several nieces and nephews and many of Kyle and Tyler's friends and classmates. Later in life, she became a doting Granna" and delighted in every moment that she was able to spend with her "grandbabies". Spoiling her grandkids and attending their games, classes and events was her top priority and one of her greatest joys.

Though Gale paused her formal career to focus on raising her children, she remained committed to her passion of supporting and sharing biblical truths with other Women. At Mount Olive, Gale served on the Board of Deaconess which she chaired several years, led a weekly Women's Bible Study class for 30 plus years, sang in the Choir, volunteered at Water from the Rock, coordinated and chaired the Annual Women's Conference and served as the chair of the Women's Advisory Council. Outside of Mount Olive, Gale facilitated a number neighborhood and community bible studies, conferences workshops and retreats for area churches and women's events. To better equip herself to reach and teach women, Gale completed the seven year Bible Study Fellowship program and served in leadership for many years, attained certifications from the Charles Stanley Institute for Christian Living, and graduated from the Basic and Advanced Studies program at Mount Olive Bible Institute. With that continued education, Gale founded and served as the Executive Director of Women to Women Ministries, an organization based on the Titus 2 principle that women are called to support, encourage and shepherd other women. Even later in life, Gale had an unquenchable thirst for Christian education. To that end, she went back to school arid entered an intensive Master's Degree program at Liberty University where she earned a Master of Arts in Christian Counseling, after which went on to counsel many women and couples. In all things, Gale lovingly and humbly; yet relentlessly, sought to help women rise above their circumstances and experience victorious living by the power of God's Word.

Gale Was preceded in death by her parents, Roosevelt and Bea Sutton and brothers Roosevelt Sutton, Jr. and Randy Sutton; Gale leaves to cherish her memories: her -best friend and husband of 40 years, Horace A. Davis, Jr.; her two children, Kyle (Davis) Degen (Dustin) and Tyler Davis (Jessica); four beloved grandchildren, Cooper Tripp Anderson Davis, Peyton Riley Ann Davis, Wesley Paige Degen and Henry ("Huck") Joseph Degen; siblings Kay McCarty and Neal Sutton; "Little Sister" Lashun Boone (Gavin); an uncle Reverend Albert Sutton and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, family, friends, mentees and students. "

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.gwspencerdirs.net for the Davis family.