After a long and glorious journey upon this earth, Etta Burnell Davis, 94, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. She was born in Berea, Kentucky on August 8, 1930, to the late J.C. and Ollie Kerby Burnell.
She was a member of Bethel Baptist Church where she served as Sunday School teacher in different departments and as a teacher in the Senior Adult Ladies class for 28 years. She also volunteered for the Berea Hospital Auxiliary, enjoyed sewing, and helping others.
She was a loving and devoted wife and mother. She was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Freddie B. Davis; three children, an infant daughter, Connie Faith Davis, Phyllis Davis Stelson, and Freddie Keith Davis; two brothers, J.C. Burnell and Anthony Burnell and his wife Verna; and her sister, Lula Viars and her husband Lloyd.
She is survived by five precious grandchildren who were dear to her heart, one grandson, Frederick Davis and four granddaughters, Kristen Smith, Jennifer Letourneau, Beth (David) Taylor, and Rebecca (Eddie) Prather; her dear son-in-law, James Stelson; six great-grandchildren, Bryn, Jim, and Thomas Letourneau, Ethan Smith, Lily and Eddie Prather, two step great grandsons, Logan and Levi Taylor; one brother, William (Janet) Burnell, and one sister-in-law, Betty Burnell.
She worked at General Telephone Company until it went to dial service and then became a full-time mother and homemaker for 13 years. She started the Senior Citizens Program in 1973 and retired after 21 years. While working there she received several service awards, she was commissioned a Kentucky Colonel, Woman of Achievement, Woman of the Year, to name a few.
The family wishes to thank so many wonderful friends for helping her in her later years.
