Gria Marie Baham was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on November 27, 1958, to the late Carroll J. Baham, Jr., and the late Estelle Costello Baham Hill.
Gria attended Catholic schools from elementary school through college. She graduated from St. Mary's Academy in1976. Gria attended college at Xavier University of New Orleans where she earned a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Social Work in 1980. In 1982 Gria earned a Masters of Social Work degree from Louisiana State University.
Gria moved to Jacksonville, Florida, where she began her career with the Duval County School District.
In 1995, Gria moved to Tallahassee, Florida, after taking the position of School Social Work Consultant with the Florida Department of Education Student Services Project. She served in this position as a dynamic and consummate professional for more than 18 years.
Gria was a respected leader and advocate who cared deeply about the welfare of children and families for close to 30 years as a member of the Florida Association of School Social Worker, the Florida Death Review Committee, School Social Work Boards and Councils and many other professional organizations.
Gria was committed to her husband, Richard "Rick" Davison. They were engaged and married within a year and a half of their first meeting. Their union was blessed with a daughter, Christina Louise. Gria loved and adored Christina more than anyone could imagine. Gria and Christina enjoyed singing, cooking, exercising, going to the theatre, and deconstructing the challenges of life together.
Gria, Christina, and Rick were inseparable because they truly loved and adored each other.
Gria was also committed to her immediate and extended family. Ria, Lia, and Gria were sisters who cherished each other as children and adults. When Carl came along, Gria instantly took on the role of big sister. Gria nurtured her nephews and niece, Michael, Glenn, and Aeryn, as if they were her own children.
So, when Christina came along Gria was well prepared to take on the awesome responsibility of being her mother.
Gria was known for doing nothing in moderation. No matter what she did it was going to be over the top, regardless of whether it was at home, work, church, Christina's school, or at an education or social work meeting.
The only thing greater than her love for family, friends, and colleagues was her love for God. She was a songbird who lifted her voice in the choir and in the church pews. Where ever she was, those around her would marvel at the beauty of her voice. Gria was a Sunday school teacher at St. Louis.
Gria leaves to cherish her memory, husband, Richard D. Davison; daughter, Christina Louise Davison; sisters, Ria Baham Jacobs and Lia Baham; brother, Carl J. Baham; sisters-in-law Wanda Davis, Jacqueline Cooks, Dietra Frederick, and Pamela Brown; brothers-in-law Edward Bullock and John Cooks, Jr., nephew and Godson Michael J. Riley, Jr., nephew, Glenn M. Davis, Jr. (Keysha); niece, Aeryn L. Batiste (Latrell); Goddaughter, Chelsea Previllon, and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, colleagues, and friends.
Visitation will be Wednesday, September 18, from 6-8 pm at St. Louis Catholic Church, 3640 Fred George Rd, Tallahassee, FL. A funeral service will be held Thursday, September 19 at 11 am at the Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More, 900 W Tennessee St Tallahassee, FL, followed by interment at Tallahassee Memory Gardens.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Florida Association of School Social Workers or the St. Louis Catholic Church Music Ministry.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18