Ruby Louise Davis-McGowan

Ruby Louise Davis McGowan

 12-15-1926 - 05.02.2023

Ruby L. McGowan Davis, affectionately known as “Big Mama”, and "Madame" passed away in Hartford, Connecticut on May 2, 2023, at 96. Ruby was born on December 15, 1926, in Ruth, Mississippi, she was the eldest child of Smiley J. McGowan Sr. and Vivian Birteal McGowan. During her youth, Ruby enjoyed playing basketball, cooking, and eating persimmons. She started cooking at the age of 8, standing on a crate to reach the stovetop. She became a great cook, gardener, and caretaker, feeding her younger siblings, and later, many children and grandchildren. She opened her home and her kitchen to anyone who needed it. She had a feisty spirit, enjoyed entertaining, and was always full of laughter and joy. Her family was her life, legacy, and greatest achievement.

Ruby leaves behind a large and beloved family, including brother: Carl McGowan; children:  Betty Harriel (Thomas) (Atlanta, GA), Mary McGruder-Salter (Elgin, IL), Clinton Davis (Indianapolis, IN), Larry Davis (Harvey, LA), Roy Davis (Grand Prairie, TX), and Euradell Davis (Rocky Hill, CT);  grandchildren: Tammy Fuller, Sylvester Fuller, Clayborn Fuller, Carmelia Fuller, Shawonia Thomas, Kelcy McGruder, Mandy Sweeney, Jafari Shumpert, Larry Ingram, Javonka Thorns, Johann Thorns, Jaroy Davis, Erica Eldridge, Brionna Davis-Reyes, and Ashley Davis-Reyes; and many great- and great, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, cousins, in-laws, and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents: Smiley J. McGowan Sr. and Vivian Birteal (Hill) McGowan; siblings: Myrtis Lee Mathis, Maude Hellen Smith, Georgia Lee Fort, Smiley J. McGowan, Jr., and Edward McGowan; grandson: Derrick Fuller; husband, J.C. Davis and lifelong friend: Roy Haney Sr.

Special thanks to the medical team at Hartford Hospital (Hartford, CT), who gave her phenomenal care during her final days, and to All State Cremation & Funeral Care (Hartford, CT), who handled her body and ashes with respect and care. The Golden Gate Funeral Home for memorial service. 

WE LOVE YOU, MOM

We miss you, your contagious smile, soft laughter, kind eyes and comforting words.

We know you didn’t want to leave us, but God needed you to come home and watch over us all from heaven.

We know you are free from all earthly suffering and disease and flying high in Heaven’s breeze.

We thank God for the time He gave you to us on earth, to love us unconditionally, guide us with your wisdom, and embrace each of us with your understanding.

You loved each of your children, grandchildren, family, and friends unconditionally. Providing each of us with just the right amount of love, support, and understanding that each needed to properly nourish our spirits and souls.

So now we say to you, thank you for being the best mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend that we could have ever hoped you to be.

We love you then, now, forever and throughout eternity.

Authors, 

Euradell, Roy, Larry, Clinton, Mary & Betty