Corinne Lois Davis
Corinne Lois Davis ( Reakoff ) went to be with our Lord on December 31, 2020, after a lengthy struggle with dementia and added effects of Covid-19. She was 83. A native of Detroit, MI, she moved to Birmingham, AL for the second half of her life to lend a hand to family. Her first job was at Sanders Confectioner’s flagship store in Detroit, where folks would stand three-deep to get a seat at the counter. Corinne was heralded as making the best oatmeal there. She’s kept a jar of their milk chocolate hot fudge on hand ever since. Everyone found her sweet and kind with almost a naïve disposition. She was funny too, and smart. As a single mother with 3 kids, she put herself through nursing school while sometimes working 2 or 3 part time jobs — hard ones, like sewing seatbelts on an assembly line in a hot factory. Somehow, she still found time to make homemade bread regularly, cook real dinners every night, bake bunny cakes at Easter and make the inevitable Halloween costumes. All the while she maintained her composure, trusted God and taught her kids things like “Don’t worry, it will work out,” and “Don’t say why me? Say why not me?”. She faced everything with positive determination. She bandaged the whole neighborhood’s knees and hearts and all her children’s friends called her “Ma.” As a nurse, she worked many years at Holy Cross Hospital in Detroit. Her co-worker girlfriends there were her sustenance. Most notably, she navigated the world with empathy and paid special attention to patients’ needs for privacy and respect. Nursing meant being certain to draw the curtain before bathing a patient- even if they were sedated on a ventilator or keeping a patient’s meal hot for them if they were gone for a test when it arrived. When her eldest daughter was in medical school, a single mother herself, “ Grammy “ would take her grandchildren for the weekend so her daughter could study. On Sundays she’d bring them back with clothes all washed and folded and a meatloaf for their dinner packed. She intuitively knew what people needed and thought of others first. Corinne
loved traveling with her sister Treesha, her very best friend. Those two would take off, often with little kids in tow, eating cheese whiz sandwiches in the car or whatever it took to make a trip possible — out west for a frontier adventure, panning for gold or the wilds of Alaska. She loved to have fun and she loved her family. She exposed her kids to a wide variety of beautiful places and experiences. Just being with her taught them so much. She was a gardener, an artist, a gifted seamstress, animal lover and notable cook who earned the title “Pie Babe” for her legendary desserts. She would wallpaper your bathroom if you needed it. She lived the Golden Rule. Her son had said when he was unsure of what to do, he’d ask himself “ what would Mom do ?”. The kindness and love she must have shown to others in so many small, unseen, faithful places may be the seeds God uses to bring people closer to Himself. We know she’s hearing “ well done, good and faithful servant’.
She is survived by her children; Mr. Dominic ( Nick ) Stefani, Dr. Jill Billions and husband Dr. Bryan Billions, Mrs. Joy Smith and husband Mr. Gregory Smith, Step Son Mr. Jeff Davis and wife Mrs. Sheron Davis; her grandchildren, Autumn, Joshua, Ethan and Oakley Billions, Allise Fortinberry, Jacob and Olivia Smith; Kyle and Lindsey Davis
Brother Mr. Roger Reakoff and wife Mrs. Norma Reakoff, and a slew of nieces and nephews including but not limited to Jenny Corey, Jack Reakoff, Annette ( Missy ) Buroughs, Heidi Schoppenhorst, Gail Lowe, Clay and Paul Reakoff
She is being buried at a private family graveside service. Due to Covid limitations, a memorial service and celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family is encouraging
donations to the Greater Birmingham Humane Society in her memory. https://gbhs.org
God bless you in your loss. Your words touched my heart.
Thank you so much Shirley Teresa. I am so grateful to you for going out to St. Martins and doing activities with the ladies out there with me. They enjoyed it so much and you were such a hit. Then knitting shawls for each and every one of them to keep them warm – amazing. Only you. People like you thinking of others is what my Mom was all about. Thank you. X
I have memories of “Ma” that date back well over 40 yrs! Having spent a large amount of my childhood in her home. She was always soft spoken, kind & welcoming. Even when I know she needed and wanted peace & quiet! She never sent me home! On the rare occasion I would leave, there was always an open door & something good to eat, when I returned! The fond memories of all those years are endless.. She included me in so many dinners, sleepovers, holidays and family events. Even just the simple things, like watching movies, playing games or gathering around the piano for a little bit. Her, her house, and kids were my family and second home. I will always treasure her generosity, hospitality, and the grin she would get when her naive ears heard some of the things “our generation” would ask, say or do! Ma, you were a wonderful roll model & a remarkable women on every level! You successfully raised kids who are sweet, accomplished, beautiful people both inside & out. May you be greatly rewarded in Gods Kingdom for all you done, given and for simply being a sweet, gentle, generous soul! I would hope that back then, I remembered to always say thank you, but I’m not quite sure I did. In case I didn’t then, thank you from the deepest part of my heart for sharing your home, life and family with me. I hope you knew how much I truly needed it, appreciated it & will always love you for all you shared with me! You left a lasting impression, that I carry with me still, today. I love you & pray that you rest in eternal peace!
Thanks so much Chris ! You said what so many of my friends have said as well- how she always had goodies on that kitchen counter, was always welcoming to everyone and just made everyone feel comfortable. For me- and Joy I’m sure – it was like … she was just a constant source of warm chicken soup ! Meaning that comfort – ever present. Thank you for your words. XO
Grammy was her name to me. I’ve known her for about 9 years and there hasn’t been a moment I can remember that she wasn’t kind, sweet, and loving. I feel most times you can tell of someone’s character by their heir and Her daughter Jill (a 2nd mother to me) is one of the most kind, caring, strong, generous human beings I’ve ever met. Gram you were deeply love and you will be deeply missed. Love you
Thanks so much for your kind words Kel. You were so dear going to the Nursing home with your guitar and singing to all the ladies there including ‘ Grammy ‘. What a gift that was. So many folks forget those who have lost their voice in the community. Not you. And you weren’t even upset that she had given you a hard time ( in her dementia! ) for not climbing an 80 ft tree to rescue the cat ! Haha love you
What an extraordinary woman and obviously the apple didn’t fall far from the tree, Jill is so much like her mom. Our deepest condolences to all your loved ones.
Love, the Germann Family.
Thank you so much Robin. You know how we feel about Moms. I had to let the world know she had gone because she was extraordinary. She was so isolated from society at the end I couldn’t just let her slip away without telling the world what a gift she was.
Thanks. XO
Please accept my most heart felt sympathies for the loss of your sweet and lovely mom “mama Corrine”!?
God Bless you child. Thank you ??
Sweet Jill , now i figured out the source of your Love and kindness – all from your sweet mom ” Corrine” ! You had such a sweet mom?prayers lifted up for all your family! My family and I Loves you so much❤hugs and kisses❤
Jill, Joy and Bryan- So sorry for your loss of your mother. Obviously, quite a talented and determined lady who loved her family and went to any length to support family. You must be so proud of her and her passing must be difficult for everyone. Dementia is so painful and difficult for everyone and sometimes it is a relief when God takes your loved one who is suffering from dementia. Prayers for all the family. Your mother seems to be one of those very special humans who treated all with respect and dignity – meaning that all who knew your mother had their lives enriched just by knowing her. Sincerely, Squire and Grace
Thank you so much. Squire helped Joy and I with some things early on and was a tremendous help. I know Mom is with Jesus and I thank her for steering me very gently toward him by example all her life. What a gift. XO
Jill, Joy, and family,
We are so sorry to hear about the loss of your beautiful, kind, and gentle mom. Listed in my own phonebook as “Mom Davis,” I could always count on your mom to understand without judging (a tough feat for an independent teen); love without smothering; and infuse those in her presence with the feeling that they were truly cared for. She did her job exceptionally well, as her daughters are the same, and we are all the better for it.
Thanks so much Deenie. We know that “ very special memory “
That shall not be mentioned here of our teenage escapades and how my mom responded ( hahahaha). She really was the best and modeled how to cook as well, which we have all enjoyed since. If she hadn’t made bunny shaped cakes do you really think Leah would have gotten that unicorn cake ? Ha love you
Condolences to you, Nicky Jill and Joy
We lost her slightly older bro Rick (who loved her and she had loved and cared for him in his old age by distance) on his day 13th but Heidi and my month March of ‘19, 5 years to the month after our mom June died on her day, the 4th but in our month March just before she would have been 80 (he was 86). When Mom died on her day but just before she would have been 80, that seemed strange. But when dad died also on his day but in our month that really got me and was strangely comforting. The Lord had told mom on two occasions that dad would be saved in a strange and unusual way. We don’t know what that is but trust the Savior to save and trust they are both no doubt with the Lord (even though he was such a pain in the ass ?). God is good. His loss was a grievous nightmare for our beloved step mother Sun de Lise in So Africa tho ( who was very close to our mom and all of us tho distant ) but I tried to comfort her that March was her month too. It was still very difficult and she buried him near where she and her mom live in Upington, and they both miss him.
Come see us in the wilds of Alaska again some time ☺️! I never hear from you now that mom is gone-she was my internet, which I don’t know how to use but this came in on my phone while I was in the city shopping (about once a month). Maybe Jack or Heidi made it come to my (old 3rd hand phone a friend gave me in case I’m near cell service-almost never) since they are both very techie.
Blessings to you! Much love! ? Missy
Missy- I am the worst cousin in the world. You wrote to me a couple years ago and I lost your letter. Then alas, a card came the following year and you asked me to call you but there was no phone number. I just got a phone number from Jack last week. I am writing to you this week. Watch the mail. I am creating a memorial for my mom online on the website KEEPER and will send a link. I would like all her family to join in. I remember you so fondly and your rosy pink cheeks. I will definitely come to Alaska as soon as this virus is under control. That, is a promise. For my Mom. She loved June as her sister. So much to talk to you about. Please forgive my absence of words/ writing and don’t think of it as absence of thought. Love