Nellie Davis

Died: Feb. 23, 2013

Nella M. "Nellie" Davis, 87, died Saturday afternoon at Signature HealthCARE of Greeneville.

Mrs. Davis was a homemaker and the widow of Eunice W. Davis.

She was a member of First Church of God, attending as long as her health permitted.

Those close to her knew her as a loving Christian, caring and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. They said that her home was home to all of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

According to the family, Mrs. Davis always had a loving smile and her loving arms extended to give them warm hugs.

Mrs. Davis was active in mission work for Haiti and had a passion for the needy children there. She worked diligently, preparing numerous boxes for shipment to assist with the needs there.

Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law: James and Carolyn Davis of Greeneville; one daughter and son-in-law: Brenda and John Brown of Greeneville; three grandchildren: Brian Davis and his wife, Amy, of Greeneville, Jamie Brown of Churchville, Va., and Rachel Garland and her husband, Matt, of Johnson City; two great-granddaughters: Alison Davis of Greeneville and Olivia Garland of Johnson City; two sisters: Vera Lee Dixon and Evelyn Murdock; one brother: Walter Shelton; sister-in-law: Lady Davis; brother-in-law and his wife: Lester and Josephine Davis, all of Greeneville; several nieces and nephews; and her special friends: Lois Hensley, Phyllis Newby, and the special staff at Signature HealthCARE.

She was preceded in death by her parents: the Rev. Melvin Shelton Sr. and Sudie Shelton; one sister: Lavada Chandley; three brothers: David "Red" Shelton, the Rev. Melvin H. Shelton Jr. and an infant; sisters-in-law: Zella Mae Reaves and her husband, Gene, and Louise Davis; brother-in-law: Hobart Davis; and four half-brothers.

The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 5-7 p.m. Tuesday at Doughty-Stevens Funeral Home with the funeral service following at 7 p.m. in the chapel. The Rev. Stephen Aiken will officiate.

Family and friends are asked to meet at the funeral home at 10:15 a.m. Wednesday to go in procession to GreeneLawn Memory Gardens for an 11 a.m. committal service.

Pallbearers will be Oscar Payne, Arlin Shelton, James Dale Chandley, Jimmy Shelton, Steven Hartman, and Conley Broyles.

Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Richard Aasheim, Dr. Ronald Turk, and staff of Signature HealthCARE.