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

17 Comments

  1. Shirley Teresa Naylor on January 6, 2021 at 2:17 pm

    God bless you in your loss. Your words touched my heart.



    • Jill on January 8, 2021 at 5:10 pm

      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



  2. Christine Landry on January 6, 2021 at 2:49 pm

    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!



    • Jill Stefani Billions on January 8, 2021 at 4:56 pm

      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



  3. Kelly Roberson on January 6, 2021 at 5:05 pm

    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



    • Mamma B on January 8, 2021 at 5:00 pm

      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



  4. Robin Germann on January 6, 2021 at 5:39 pm

    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.



    • Jill Billions on January 8, 2021 at 5:03 pm

      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



  5. Hilde Oforiwa Owusu on January 6, 2021 at 5:57 pm

    Please accept my most heart felt sympathies for the loss of your sweet and lovely mom “mama Corrine”!?



    • Jill Billions on January 8, 2021 at 5:03 pm

      God Bless you child. Thank you ??



  6. Hilde Oforiwaa Owusu on January 6, 2021 at 6:09 pm

    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❤



  7. Squire and Grace Gwin on January 7, 2021 at 1:29 am

    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



    • Jill on January 8, 2021 at 5:07 pm

      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



  8. Deenie on January 7, 2021 at 3:34 pm

    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.



    • Jill on January 10, 2021 at 2:26 pm

      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



  9. Missy Burroughs on January 10, 2021 at 12:08 pm

    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



  10. Jill Billions on January 10, 2021 at 2:32 pm

    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