Edith C. Davis

Edith C. Davis passed away on September 24, 2025 in Livonia, Michigan. She was born in Louisville, Kentucky on August 16, 1939 to Mattie and James Sparrow and moved to Michigan in 1968.

Edith was many things: a cherished friend, a loving sister, a devoted mother and grandmother, a loyal civic servant, a woman who valued faith and community, and whose sharp sense of humor, fierce independence, love of good food and movies, and eternal kindness touched everyone who was lucky enough to know her.

Edith was a loving stay-at-home mom for many years, during which time she taught Head Start classes, served as a Girl Scout leader, and volunteered tirelessly for political campaigns for city, county, and state elections. She later began a life of civil service with leadership positions in human resources for both Livonia and Wayne County.

Edith is survived by her daughters, Laura (Jeff) Bennane and Sherry (Ronald) Wainz. She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren, Cheyenne Bennane, Natalie Bennane, Michael (Alexandra) Wainz, Rachel (Hunter) Wainz, Stephen Wainz, Lauren Wainz, and by her great grandchildren: Anessa, JJ, Cali, Peyton, KJ, and Lincoln. She is also survived by nephew Danny (Bev) Drane and niece Linda Drane Miller.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Genevive Drane, brother William “Harold” Sparrow, sister-in-law Jane Sparrow, brother-in-law Herbert Drane and granddaughter Amanda Terry.

Edith loved the Lord — particularly her bible readings and her Sunday services, which she attended both in person, and later on TV streamed from her nephew’s church in Kentucky when her health declined.

She was blessed with a wonderful circle of girlfriends (Joan, Susie, and Susie) who shared her love of dining, movies, and travel to Naples, Florida and Northern Michigan.

Mom loved holidays — in part for the food, in part for decor, but most of all because it was time spent with family — and she loved Christmas and Thanksgiving best of all. A thoughtful gift giver, she enjoyed and excelled at finding the perfect gift and always took care to wrap it in the best papers and bows.

Mom encouraged foreign travel, always saying “travel while you can,” as she knew firsthand how time passes and that travel can become challenging. During her life, her travels took her throughout Europe and the Holy Land.

A funeral service will be held on Sunday, November 9, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Salem Lutheran Evangelical Church, 32430 Ann Arbor Trail, Westland, Michigan, 48185. Refreshments and fellowship to follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, friends are encouraged to donate to a charity of their choosing.