Sylvia H Davis

Sylvia Eltha Hardeman Davis, 89, of Canton, Georgia passed away on Thursday, March
7, after kidney failure and other health problems.

Sylvia was born on August 25, 1934, to Raymond and Hessie Hardeman in
Poughkeepsie, New York (due to her father taking a job in a shipping yard). The family
returned to Georgia, and Sylvia grew up in Athens (Go Dawgs).

 After graduating from high school, Sylvia attended Georgia Baptist Hospital School of Nursing. She became
an RN. She married and had a daughter, Linda Bass. Her first marriage did not last, but
she met the love of her life, James (Jim) Davis, in Albany, Georgia. They were soon
married and within two years, they gave birth to a son, Raymond (Ray) Davis. The
family moved to Corpus Christi, Texas in the early 70s as Jim worked for the
Department of Defense and sought opportunities for advancement. In Corpus Christi,
Sylvia served as the Head Nurse of the Burn Unit and had to deal with some very
serious and traumatic situations. 

Seeking advancement again, James took an opportunity to move the family to Kaiserslautern, Germany during the 
height of the Cold War. As Linda, her daughter, was in her early twenties at this time, she chose to stay in
Corpus Christi, where she continues to live to this day (she fell in love with Texas and
had no desire to go to a foreign country). So, Sylvia, Jim, and Ray left for Germany and
arrived on November 10, 1977. The three of them would tell you that living in Germany
was a highlight of their lives. The history, scenery, traveling, sports (Ray did a lot of
playing, Jim did a lot of coaching, and Sylvia did a lot of watching and cheering), and
overall experiences were something that they cherished immensely. Sylvia worked at
Landstuhl Hospital during these years in the Labor and Delivery Unit. It was a welcome
change for her. The family loved Germany so much, that they extended their stay an
additional two years.

They returned to Georgia on November 15, 1982. Jim’s next job
was at Fort McPherson while Sylvia went to work at South Fulton Hospital. She loved
her job here as she helped new mothers with the routines of handling a new baby. The
family built a home in Fayetteville. A few years later, in 1987, the family moved again.
This time they moved to Anniston, Alabama. Jim had an opportunity for advancement at
Fort McClellan. Sylvia went to work at Jacksonville Hospital. After a few years both
Sylvia and Jim retired. They fell in love with Anniston and made many friends. Their
son, Ray, had moved back to Georgia to attend the University of Georgia. A few years
after graduation, Ray married his now late wife (Erin Joyner Davis) and the couple had
two children, Mallory and Ryan, Sylvia’s grandchildren. It was enough to lure Jim and
Sylvia back to Georgia where they lived for the remainder of their lives, became active
members of Mount Zion Baptist Church, made many friends, and made the most of their
retirement. Sadly, Jim passed away in 2018 and Erin passed away in 2021.

Sylvia and Jim enjoyed many things together. They loved movies, reading, traveling,
bowling, golfing, square dancing, playing cards, and cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs.
Sylvia had an infectious smile. She was warm, kindhearted, generous, loving, devoted,
and caring. She was a wonderful and amazing wife, mom, and grandmom (mama). She
loved Jesus and made an impact in this world. Her parting this world demonstrates that
Heaven improves every single day that someone like her enters the Kingdom. She ran
her race so well and she finished it.

She was predeceased by her parents, Raymond and Hessie, her husband, Jim, and her
daughter-in-law, Erin. She is survived by her children, Linda Bass and Raymond Davis,
and her grandchildren, Mallory and Ryan Davis.

Sylvia requested that donations be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in lieu
of flowers.

There will be a visitation on Sunday, March 10 from 2-4 pm at Canton
Funeral Home and Cemetery at Macedonia Memorial Park. Funeral services will be
held on Monday, March 11 at 11 am with interment immediately following in the church
cemetery. The family will receive visitors at 10 am prior to the service.