Shirley Ann Davis Brooks

Shirley Ann Davis Brooks
Sunrise: April 28, 1949
Sunset: July 17, 2017

Faith and family.
Those two things embodied Shirley Ann Davis Brook throughout her life as a sister, daughter, wife, aunt, cousin and friend.
Shirley was born April 28, 1949 in Nashville, to the late George M. Davis Sr. and Robbie Davis Gunn, both of whom preceded her in death.
Shirley spent her early childhood in East Nashville until her family moved to the Lake Providence community in South Nashville-Davidson County, the birthplace of her mother, Robbie Davis Gunn and lifetime home of her late grandparents, the Reverend Robert Anderson Davis and Mother Ada Edmondson Davis. Shirley’s paternal grandparents were the late George Lee Davis and Clara Davis of Laguardo and Nashville, Tennessee.
Shirley’s faith in the Lord was rooted in a strong Christian heritage. She professed a hope in Christ at an early age and was baptized at a young age under the pastorate of the Reverend S.H. Simpson at Lake Providence Missionary Baptist Church. Over the years Shirley served in the Larry Thompson Ministry, Lake Providence Church Choir and the Lake Providence Sunday School.
In 1969, Shirley married Frank Brooks, and they remained friends up until her death.
Shirley received her education at Meigs Elementary, Providence School and Cameron High School. She attended Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, and later Tennessee State University where she was awarded a bachelor’s of science degree in criminal justice.
Shirley’s began her professional career at the DuPont Company in Old Hickory, Tenn., for more than 10 years. Shirley left DuPont to complete her college education. She then worked for the Metropolitan Nashville Action Commission and later for Vanderbilt University as an education consultant for the FAST Track Research Project. Shirley remained at Vanderbilt until her health failed.
Over the years Shirley shared her love of gospel music with everyone she knew. In high school, she and her sisters became a part of the legendary Grammy-nominated gospel recording group the BC&M Choir. Shirley recorded 10 albums with the BC&M Choir and performed on several network television specials, including Diana Shore Comes Home, The Johnny Cash Show, Grand Ole Opry 50 and the Carol Burnett & Dolly Parton Valentine Special. Shirley sung on numerous records with other artists, including Glen Campbell and with Ray Stevens on his No. 1 hit classic Everything is Beautiful. After the BC&M Choir, Shirley became involved with the internationally acclaimed Bobby Jones Show, serving in many capacities over the years, ranging from production assistant, associate producer and as a member of the Nashville Super Choir. Shirley was also an associate producer of the first Martin Luther King Celebration Gospel Concert that was held at the Atlanta Civic Center as an official part of the national celebration.
Shirley never let her disability stop her from sharing her talents and love of people with others. Her enthusiasm and willingness to help others was infectious.
Shirley was opinionated, straightforward and direct. It was that drive and determination that facilitated her success with community projects she approached with vigor and passion. Shirley helped develop the first Providence School Reunion, Lake Providence Senior programs and was instrumental in getting the Providence community recognized with a historical landmark designation.

Shirley loved her family and they loved her. She leaves to celebrate her life, two sisters, Jackie Davis of Stone Mountain, Ga and Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson of Lithonia, Ga; two brothers, George Davis and Robert Davis of Nashville; sisters-in-law, Shirley Nix Davis and Cathy E. Davis; brother-in-law Congressman Hank Johnson of Lithonia, Ga; uncle, William “Bill” Davis (Almeta), of Athens, Alabama; extended family, Cliff (Beverly) Irons, Louisville, Kentucky and Beverly Calloway, Melbourne, Australia; goddaughter, Alana “Cissy” Hamilton; nieces and nephews, Melanie (Michael) Calloway, Shannon (Marquette) Weaver, Kristin Davis, Nathan Davis, Katrina Davis, Randi Johnson, Calvin “Alex” Johnson, Omari Irons, Nneka (Dwayne) Holmes, Mary (Armando) Colbourne and Nia Adero; 14 great-nieces and nephews; and numerous other relatives; special friends, Patricia Maxwell, Theresa Gray, Rosa Ann Marcus, Azell Futrell and Derrick Lee; Special thanks to Dr. Mohana Karlekar, Anita Arline, Linda Crutcher, Jordan’s Home Health Care, Vanderbilt Hospital and Amedisys Hospice Care.