Valencia Renee Davis

Valencia Renee (Smith) Davis was born on July 2, 1965 in Louisville, KY into the loving home of Leander and Cecelia (James) Smith. They have fond memories of Valencia being a sweet and contented baby who would rarely cry. She has three older siblings, Sandie, Raymond and Roland. Her parents worked hard to train their children to be people of faith, character, and love. Love of God and love of family were two highly valued principles of mom and dad. In addition to this, they taught their children to value education and hard work. Valencia was a 1983 graduate of Laurel School in Shaker Heights, Ohio. She attended Williams College and graduated from Oberlin College in 1988.

The Smith family moved from Louisville, KY to Cleveland, OH when Valencia was 1 ½ years old. The family used a combination of public and private schools in order to provide their children with the best possible education. They enjoyed camping trips across the country from California to New York. They enjoyed family conversation and debate from religion to politics…and mom always had a sermon. They loved to laugh and eat together. The bonds grew so tight that they were seemingly one another's best friends.

Valencia found faith in God in her early twenties. She was baptized at Bethel Baptist Church in Cleveland Heights, OH. She was discipled in that church and began serving her Lord. She involved herself in the AWANA children's ministry, served in the nursery and as an Usher. While in ministry at Israel Baptist Church, she continued her service for Christ as that local church's first lady. She provided leadership for the women's ministries, led a women's Sunday school class, served in the nursery, spoke to women's groups, ushered, and hosted members, missionaries, and friends in her home for an array of meetings and events. She was known for her quiet, loving, and sweet spirit.

On June 9, 1990, Valencia married Ron Davis. God blessed them with three beautiful daughters: Meghan Elizabeth, Moriah Elise, and Marissa Erin. More than anything else, Valencia delighted in her role as mother. She worked hard at pouring her life into the development of the girls. She will always be remembered for singing songs to them at bed time; taking them out to eat for Saturday morning breakfast; and taking them to the movies. She made Christmas and birthdays special, making their childhood wishes and dreams come true. She helped them through challenging school assignments and was free to shower them with hugs and kisses. She was mom and loved them completely.

We remember Valencia as a strong and competent career woman. For over twenty years she worked in the information technology field, beginning at Arthur Anderson Consulting, then Proctor & Gamble. She spent more than 15 years with Liberty Mutual Insurance and more recently, employed with Safe Auto Insurance. She was known for being devoted to her work, putting in long hours until the work day task was completed. She loved leading her team and resolving problems.

In November of 2009, Valencia was diagnosed with breast cancer. Life became very challenging for Valencia during this period of time. Valencia was very steady during this period of time, fully embracing the faith and values instill in her by her parents. She turned to her God and to family for support and encouragement. Her parents walked closely with her and the girls throughout this period of time. Then also, her three siblings did everything that they knew to do to sit with and encourage their baby sister. They kept her smiling until the day when she was called home.

Valencia is survived by: her daughters Meghan, Moriah, and Marissa Davis; her parents, Leander and Cecelia Smith; her siblings Sandie Crawford (Alfred), Raymond Smith, and Roland Smith; her niece and nephew Lauren Crawford and Alfred Crawford, II. Her aunts, uncles and a host of cousins, second cousins and friends. She will truly be missed by all of them.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday, September 27, 2012 at the Vineyard Church, 6000 Cooper Road, Westerville, Ohio 43081, where the family will receive friends one hour prior to the service from 10:00 to 11:00 AM.

Memorial contributions may be made In Valencia's honor to Circle of Promise, C/O Susan G. Komen for the Cure, P.O. Box 650309, Dallas, Texas, 75265-0309.

http://www.circleofpromise.org/