Odessa Lloyd Davis

Odessa Lloyd Davis

Odessa Lloyd –Davis was born on Sunday, December 23rd 1924. It was cold and right before Christmas. Her mother, Lula Lloyd-Mizell, would later say that she was the most beautiful baby. She was born not long after her family migrated from Columbia, South Carolina to New York City. They were hoping to make a better life like other family members who had moved north before them. Later on, she often spoke about the adjustments the family had to make with this change of moving from the south to the north. These stories were both interesting and funny.

Odessa was the oldest of six brothers and sisters, Frank, Lillie Mae, Charles, Robert Lee and Hattie. And, with such a large family, she was primarily raised by her grandparents, James & Bertha Lloyd. She mentioned that the experience of the extended family surrounded her with much love and wisdom about life. This would often shine through in her love for people and the great joy she found in entertaining them.

In recent times, Odessa would often talk about her visits to Columbia, South Carolina during her school breaks. She said that the family looked forward to these visits because she was such a hard worker. She would laugh and say that they did not know that this work was fun for her because it was so different from city living. She enjoyed getting water from the well, churning butter and doing all of the other chores that went with farm living. Besides, it was only temporary, and she could always go home. These summer visits would end in her teenage years, as she started working for a well- known hotel in Manhattan. She would soon meet and marry Robert Lee Davis, who was serving in the armed forces. Together they would have two children, Robert Lee Jr. and Jeanette.

Odessa continued to work at the hotel and in time, she was raising her two children on her own. She managed to do this despite the fact that she began to battle the slow crippling effects of arthritis. This battle began while she was still very young and beautiful with much life ahead of her. Through determination and perseverance, she successfully raised both of her children despite her condition. In later years, Odessa would receive a special letter from the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University, thanking her for sharing her story, stating that they consider her “ a partner in educating the next generation of doctors.”

Odessa Lloyd-Davis was born and raised in New York City, and she loved it. In her last years, she attended Amsterdam senior center, and she was always a member of St. Paul’s church. She found great comfort in being able to attend both of these places. Her last two years were spent comfortably in The Hebrew Home at Riverdale until her passing on June 12, 2014. She will be dearly missed.

Odessa is survived by her brothers Frank Mizell & Robert Lee Mizell,her son, Robert Lee Davis. Her daughter Jeanette Davis-Burt passed away in the year 2007. (Son-n-law) Richard Burt , daughter-n-laws) Cleva & Yvette. (grandchildren) Richard Burt, his fiancé, Ginger, Robert Davis, Jemette Davis, Kim Davis) (Great grandchildren) Lanisa, Aaron, and Lia Burt, Sa’Vaughn Malique & Shaniya Anika Davis , Kahlana & Ahmaire. (Nieces & Nephews) Sharon, Venus & Jordan Belk, Marietta Cozart, William Felder, Brenda, Frank, & Gregory Mizell, ( god-daughter) Candice, and a host of other nieces ,nephews, and dear friends.