Bess Davis

Bessie Earle Davis, “Bess”, 99, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, December 2, 2018. She was born on October 15, 1919 in Pasadena, Texas to James Lee Henderson and Alma Bell Ridens Henderson. She graduated from Galena Park High School in 1936. Mrs. Davis was a born educator. She and her mother, Alma Henderson, opened the first pre-school in Galena Park. They taught pre- K and first grade. She earned her bachelors degree from the University of Texas and went on to earn her Master’s degree from Sam Houston State University. She was Dean of Student Services for San Jacinto College for 30 years. The North Star, student publication of San Jacinto College North dedicated the December 9th 1983 issue to Bess E. Davis. She was instrumental in developing programs, Home Eco., Daycare and assisting faculty and students. She attended First Baptist Church, where she was a very active member. She taught her Sunday school class until she could no longer see, and was bestowed the title of Sunday School Teacher Emeritus Colossians 1:28. She dearly loved God, her church and church family. She was a generous donor. She donated to many organizations and people in need of help. She was a dignified, educated woman that loved life. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.  

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband Lloyd Handly Davis; former husband, Howard L. Halliday; her parents, Alma and James L. Henderson; her stepson, Handly Davis; and stepson-in-law, Carl Hite.

Bess is survived by her daughters, Sondra Crandall, and Connie Kagan (and husband, Marty); her granddaughter, Janri Parrish (and husband, Matt); her stepdaughters, Sharon Hite, and Sandra Davis (and husband, John). Her special relatives and friends, step-grandson, Michael Hite (and wife, Judee), Ms. Inez Jones, Ms. Polly Glover, Ms. Margie Blake, Malik Tezino, her foster grandson, (as she called him), Pamela Barnaba, her trusted friend and representative, 6 great-grandchildren, 5 great-great-grandchildren, 10 step-grandchildren, 16 step-great-grandchildren and 8 step-great-great-grandchildren and a host of extended family and friends.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 5:00pm-8:00pm on Friday, December 14, 2018 at Sterling White Funeral Home. Funeral services will begin at 11:00am on Saturday, December 15, 2018 at First Baptist Church of Crosby, 615 Runneburg Rd, Crosby, TX 77532. Interment will follow in Sterling White Cemetery. Services have been entrusted to Sterling-White Funeral Home 11011 Crosby-Lynchburg Rd. Highlands, Texas 77562.  To send the family condolences please visit www.sterlingwhite.com.