Daisy B. Tosé Davey

Daisy Tosé Davey transitioned from this life on Saturday, January 11, 2020, at 5:10 a.m.  She was born in Chicago, Illinois on August 24, 1927, to the late John and Roseanna Clark Woolfolk (“Granny”). 

In 1928, the family moved to Union Springs, Alabama where Daisy attended elementary school and later graduated from Spencer High School in Columbus, Georgia.  After graduating from Spencer High, she attended Fort Valley State College, in Fort Valley, Georgia for two years.  During this time, she met a young soldier, Lewis Tosé, who was stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia and later married him.  From this union, five children were born; Elaine, William, Gwendolyn, Lewis Jr., and Maurice.

Sgt. Tosé, a career military man, and his family were stationed at several military bases throughout the United States and Germany.  When the family returned to the states from Germany, Sgt. Tosé had several different assignments, one of which was Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, before settling at Fort Eustis Army Base.  This became the final destination for the family.  They lived on base for several years before buying a home in Williamsburg.

Daisy was very involved in the community.  She joined St. John Baptist Church, Penniman Road where she sang with the Senior Choir.  She also worked at the bus station.  Her loving and nurturing personality led her to use her position to gift many students with tickets to get back to college and other destinations.  She enjoyed the company of a household full of students that her children would bring home unannounced from college.

Coming from a humble home, she was proud that all of her children were able to attend college and raise families.  Elaine, who attended Virginia State University, married Joel Washington; this union was blessed with a daughter, Gwendolyn Melissa.  William, who attended West Virginia State University, married Gail Fowler; this union was blessed with, William Jr. and Ryan.  Gwendolyn, who attended West Virginia State University, and Virginia State University, married Stevenson Rigell; this union was blessed with, Stevenson Matthew.  Lewis Jr., also attended West Virginia State University, married Linda Saunders; this union was blessed with, Lewis III.  After divorce, Lewis Jr. met Roxanne Kincaid; this union was blessed with Nathaniel. He later married Jamesa Bing; this union was blessed with, Damascus.  Maurice attended the U.S.  Naval Academy and married Elizabeth McLaughlin; this union was blessed with, Nicholas.  He later married Teresa Layden; this union was blessed with, Avery, Madison, Bear, Schuyler, Asher, and Austen.

Later in life, Daisy married Mr. Paul Davey and they formally adopted their granddaughter, Gwendolyn Melissa whom they raised as their own.  The couple moved to La Porte, Indiana, where she became co-owner of “The Governors Palace” a store that was a replica of a store in Williamsburg.  They sold fine jewelry and Williamsburg reproduction furniture.  She was the only African American in town, but if you knew Daisy, that didn’t bother her at all.  She quickly showed everyone what a jewel she was and became loved by everyone.

After her husband became ill, they sold the store and moved down the road to Koontz Lake in Walkerton, Indiana.  She was a member of Koontz Lake Missionary Church where she attended for over 25 years and became known as "Mama Daisy" to all who knew and loved her. After the death of Mr. Davey, her children moved her to Sarasota Florida, where she continued her friendship brigade.

Daisy lived a celebrated life, embodying the first two commandments, love thy God with all thy heart and all thy might, and love thy neighbor as thyself.  Daisy never met a stranger and was always willing to give a hug and let everyone know how great God was to her. She created a safe and nurturing home for her children, and four foster children, Anthony, Rob, Alonzo, and Fred.  She taught them to be humble and to accept the differences which made people unique within themselves.  She was blessed to be a blessing to everyone she met.  She will be sorely missed, never forgotten, and always loved.

Daisy is preceded in death by her two daughters Elaine Dodson and Gwendolyn Rigell.  She leaves to cherish her memories, three sons; William (Gail), Lewis (Jamesa), and Maurice (Teri); fifteen grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. 

A homegoing service to celebrate her life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 18, 2020, in St. John Baptist Church, Williamsburg.  Family and friends to assemble at the church by 10:30 a.m. on Saturday.  Mrs. Davey may be viewed one hour prior to her service on Saturday.

Professional services entrusted to the staff of Whiting’s Funeral Home, 7005 Pocahontas Trail, Williamsburg, Virginia  23185. 757-229-3011. whitingsfuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Daisy B. Tosé Davey, please visit our floral store.