Celebrating the life of
Rachel Rawls Davis
September 04, 1931 - January 08, 2017
Longtime Savannah Educator
Mrs. Rachel Rawls Davis, widow of the late Rev. Raymond Earl Davis, Jr., died peacefully, surrounded by family; on Sunday January 8, 2017 at 12:38pm at the age of 85. Her life was filled with love and laughter. She enjoyed four generations of her family. Limited by only mobility, she lived a full and active life until the end.
She was born Rachel Izenia Oswalt in 1931 in Saluda County, South Carolina and was adopted at five months of age by her uncle and aunt, Lawrence and Maude Rawls of West Columbia, South Carolina and was given the name Rachel Rawls at that time.
Mrs. Davis was a lifelong learner with a deep love of education. She was the valedictorian of the class of 1949 of Brooklyn-Cayce High School. She attended the University of South Carolina and received her Bachelor of Science degree from Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Alabama. She did graduate work at Troy State University in Troy, Alabama. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the institutions in Alabama. She studied at Hartford Seminary Foundation in Hartford, Connecticut and Georgia Southern College in Statesboro, Georgia, where she did work on her Master’s of Education Administration and a six year Specialist in Administration degree. In all she received 4 college degrees.
She taught in Montgomery, Alabama and after moving to Savannah in 1966 she taught first grade at Spencer and Hesse Elementary schools. She later served as principal of Tybee and Hearty Elementary schools before working for Savannah Chatham County Public School System as Director of Elementary Schools and Assistant Director of Personnel for seventeen years. She laughingly said that no matter what they called her position, she always worked for a sound education of all students. She also worked diligently to expose elementary school children to the arts.
She and her husband were devoted Civil Rights activists in the 1960,s. She served two terms as a member of the Georgia Committee of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. She was a former member of The National Association of Elementary Schools Principals, the Altruisia Club of Savannah, and the Church Council of The Lutheran Church of the Ascension. She chaired several committees at Lutheran Ascension and remained an active member of the church until she was unable to attend services due to her limitations of mobility.
Mrs. Davis is survived by her two devoted daughters, Ruth Davis Smith (husband David) and Robin Rachel Davis Thiele (husband Robbie). Of all the roles she played in life, the one she enjoyed the most was being a proud and devoted grandmother to her six grandchildren: Randy Smith (wife Katie), Jennifer Smith Zottola (husband Jeremy), Robert Thiele (wife Shrinidhi Subramaniam), Rachel Thiele McCoy (husband Raymond), Rebecca Thiele and Ruth Thiele McGraw (husband Albert). She especially enjoyed loving on her fourteen great-grandchildren: Ashley, Davis, Emily, and Emma Smith, Alex, Sammie, Eli, and Lilah Sharp (Randy and Katie); Kathryn Maini and Ivy Johnson (Rachel and Raymond), JD and Gracie Zottola (Jennifer and Jeremy), and Charlotte and Emily Robin McGraw (Ruth and Albert).
Services will be held at The Lutheran Church of the Ascension, 120 Bull Street in Savannah, on Tuesday January 10, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in the Mount Tabor Lutheran Cemetery, West Columbia, South Carolina, on Wednesday January 11, 2017 at 1:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Backpack Buddies organization (schools and churches feeding children) at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer; 51 Wilmington Island Road, Savannah, GA 31410.
My condolences to the family. My mother and her birth father were brother and sister. She was a great lady, I wish I could have known her.
- dial shealy, leesville, sc
This remarkable woman has impacted the lives of thousands of children. She is an outstanding example of what our education system should be all about.
- Rick DeCamp and Bob Levine , Palm Springs , CA
Ruth, Randy, and Family, My condolences on your loss. She was a great lady who made a difference in so many lives, children and adults. She was a strong influence in my career as an educator in the Savannah-Chatham School System in a variety of ways including having had the privilege of working with her daughter, Ruth, and grandson, Randy. Love and prayers.
- Jane Ford-Brocato, Savannah , GA
Ruth and Robin, Your mother offered me friendship and advice as I was beginning my thirty-two years in education. She was a beloved friend to my first husband, Danny Brown. It was through their acquaintance that I came to know and love your Mom. So many memories of her that I fondly remember. May God comfort you in this time of grieving. My prayers are with you and your families.
- Connie Brown Rudd, Savannah, GA
Ruth, Robin and family, I'm sorry for your great loss. What a legacy she left both in knowledge and love. I'm so sorry I won't be able to attend the funeral, but my prayers are with you. Many memories and much love. Sherry
- Sherry Cannady Quinney, Richmond Hill, GA,
Please accept my sincere condolences to the family. May the God of all comfort give you the comfort you need to endure this difficult time (2 Corinthians 1:3,4)
- gc, ,
I wanted to reach out to you during this sad time to offer my condolences. While nothing will completely take away your grief, by meditating on God's promises found in the Bible, you can find real hope and the strength to keep going. I have found the scripture at Isaiah 25:8 yo be especially encouraging. Here it promises that God "will swallow up death forever, and the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will wipe tears from all faces."
- Heather, , Fl
A beautiful tribute to a lovely lady who acomplished much in her life and leaves a large family with many memories. God be with you all. Regie and Brenda
- Regie and Brenda Price, Lexington, SC
A beautiful tribute to a beautiful lady who accomplished much in her life and leaves a large family with many memories. God be with you all. Regie and Brenda
- Regie and Brenda Price, Lexington, SC
A beautiful tribute to a beautiful lady who accomplished much in her life and leaves a large family with many memories. God be with you all. Regie and Brenda
- Regie and Brenda Price, Lexington, SC
Sending hugs, yall are in our prayers... so sorry for your loss
- Mark and cherie gresham, Bloomingdale, Ga
I did not have the opportunity to meet this remarkable lady in person. She is being missed by so many that she left.... Being gratefully welcomed by those she's joining. Praying for strength for her loved ones. God Bless?
- Sheri Pollard, Savannah, Ga
Robin and family, I am so sorry for the loss of your mother! Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal! Cherish the memories of her and her dedication to education! She touched the lives of many! I will keep you and your family in prayer ??! Love always, Mrs. Elonda Doziee
- Elonda Dozier, Savannah , Ga
Robin & family: I am so sorry for your loss. Your mom was a wonderful person who will be dearly missed. Our prayers are with you and your family. Love, Jackie and Bob.
- Jackie Denman , Miami, FL
Robin, I am so very sorry to hear about your mom. I pray that God fills your heart with peace and the pain you are fealing subsides. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Your mama was such a blessed woman to have you for a daughter. You always put her on the top of your priorities each day, making sure she had what she needed and that she was as comfortable as possible. Again, I am so sorry for your loss.
- Kelly Deal, Savannah, Ga
We basically knew her as Becca's granny, and whether you were speaking to Becca or GranRachel; you knew there was love! We appreciate the loss, but what a life! Dawn and Dan DeCamp
- , ,
Rarely has a woman of such small stature cast as long a shadow. I remember it was Robert who christened her GrandRachel. The day after his sister Rachel was born bedside "Look, we have a Rachel, and a GrandRachel!"
- Robbie Thiele, Savannah, Ga
My condolences to the family. My mother and her birth father were brother and sister. She was a great lady, I wish I could have known her.
- dial shealy, leesville, sc
This remarkable woman has impacted the lives of thousands of children. She is an outstanding example of what our education system should be all about.
- Rick DeCamp and Bob Levine , Palm Springs , CA
Ruth, Randy, and Family, My condolences on your loss. She was a great lady who made a difference in so many lives, children and adults. She was a strong influence in my career as an educator in the Savannah-Chatham School System in a variety of ways including having had the privilege of working with her daughter, Ruth, and grandson, Randy. Love and prayers.
- Jane Ford-Brocato, Savannah , GA
Ruth and Robin, Your mother offered me friendship and advice as I was beginning my thirty-two years in education. She was a beloved friend to my first husband, Danny Brown. It was through their acquaintance that I came to know and love your Mom. So many memories of her that I fondly remember. May God comfort you in this time of grieving. My prayers are with you and your families.
- Connie Brown Rudd, Savannah, GA
Ruth, Robin and family, I'm sorry for your great loss. What a legacy she left both in knowledge and love. I'm so sorry I won't be able to attend the funeral, but my prayers are with you. Many memories and much love. Sherry
- Sherry Cannady Quinney, Richmond Hill, GA,
Please accept my sincere condolences to the family. May the God of all comfort give you the comfort you need to endure this difficult time (2 Corinthians 1:3,4)
- gc, ,
I wanted to reach out to you during this sad time to offer my condolences. While nothing will completely take away your grief, by meditating on God's promises found in the Bible, you can find real hope and the strength to keep going. I have found the scripture at Isaiah 25:8 yo be especially encouraging. Here it promises that God "will swallow up death forever, and the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will wipe tears from all faces."
- Heather, , Fl
A beautiful tribute to a lovely lady who acomplished much in her life and leaves a large family with many memories. God be with you all. Regie and Brenda
- Regie and Brenda Price, Lexington, SC
A beautiful tribute to a beautiful lady who accomplished much in her life and leaves a large family with many memories. God be with you all. Regie and Brenda
- Regie and Brenda Price, Lexington, SC
A beautiful tribute to a beautiful lady who accomplished much in her life and leaves a large family with many memories. God be with you all. Regie and Brenda
- Regie and Brenda Price, Lexington, SC
Sending hugs, yall are in our prayers... so sorry for your loss
- Mark and cherie gresham, Bloomingdale, Ga
I did not have the opportunity to meet this remarkable lady in person. She is being missed by so many that she left.... Being gratefully welcomed by those she's joining. Praying for strength for her loved ones. God Bless?
- Sheri Pollard, Savannah, Ga
Robin and family, I am so sorry for the loss of your mother! Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal! Cherish the memories of her and her dedication to education! She touched the lives of many! I will keep you and your family in prayer ??! Love always, Mrs. Elonda Doziee
- Elonda Dozier, Savannah , Ga
Robin & family: I am so sorry for your loss. Your mom was a wonderful person who will be dearly missed. Our prayers are with you and your family. Love, Jackie and Bob.
- Jackie Denman , Miami, FL
Robin, I am so very sorry to hear about your mom. I pray that God fills your heart with peace and the pain you are fealing subsides. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Your mama was such a blessed woman to have you for a daughter. You always put her on the top of your priorities each day, making sure she had what she needed and that she was as comfortable as possible. Again, I am so sorry for your loss.
- Kelly Deal, Savannah, Ga
We basically knew her as Becca's granny, and whether you were speaking to Becca or GranRachel; you knew there was love! We appreciate the loss, but what a life! Dawn and Dan DeCamp
- , ,
Rarely has a woman of such small stature cast as long a shadow. I remember it was Robert who christened her GrandRachel. The day after his sister Rachel was born bedside "Look, we have a Rachel, and a GrandRachel!"
- Robbie Thiele, Savannah, Ga
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
