Mabel Pauline Davis

Mabel Pauline Davis, (Aunt Mae Mae), age 102, passed away at 11:12 on Monday morning, November 9, 2009, at Brookstone Assisted Living facility in Harrisburg, Illinois. Mabel was the oldest resident of Brookstone and had lived there since March 17, 2006, when she moved in after having resided several years at the Good Shepherd Nursing Home in Galatia, IL. Mabel was born on September 16, 1907, in Greene County, Arkansas. She was the eldest child of Fred and Hattie Ward. When she was 21 years old, her youngest sister, Martha Ellen Ward England, was born. One year later, their mother passed away of pneumonia. Mabel then took her younger siblings into her home and raised them like her own children. She was truly a compassionate and loving individual. She married Grover Bridges, a widower with two teenage sons, and they made their living on a farm near Paragould, Arkansas. Mabel would arise every morning at 4:00 and cook all three meals of the day at that early hour, so that she could get to the fields with her husband. She later married Lon Davis, who also preceded her in death. After her first husband passed away in February of 1959, Mabel learned to drive so that she would not be dependent on others to take her the 13 miles into town when she wanted to go. She was in her fifties when she received her driver’s license. Mabel was preceded in death by her parents, as well as her siblings: Everett Ward, Stella Ward, Lawrence Ward and Wallace Ward. Survivors include her one remaining sister, Martha E. England, of Harrisburg, IL. Also surviving are nieces Monte Kay Johnson of St. Louis, MO; Carolyn Weber of Little Rock, AR; Garry England of Bartlesville, OK and Fred J. England of Vincennes, IN; step-grandchildren surviving include Dale Bridges of California and Deann Davis Coffman of Jonesboro, Arkansas. Mabel loved living at Brookstone and enjoyed all of the activities offered there. She was particularly fond of the church services provided by various congregations who visited the facility. She also enjoyed playing BINGO six evenings there every week. She had accepted Christ as her savior at a young age and is enjoying her eternal reward with Jesus. The sadness is for those of us remaining, who will miss her sweet smile and positive spirit. Mabel’s glass was always half-full. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Friday, November 13, 2009, at Health Funeral Home in Paragould, Arkansas. The funeral service will occur at 1:00, with interment following at Memorial Gardens in Paragould, AR. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mabel’s memory can be made to: West View Baptist Church 701 W. Morgan Street Paragould, Arkansas 72450 OR Big Creek Baptist Church 1194 Greene Co Rd. 144 Paragould, Arkansas 72450