Geraldine E. “Deanie” Davis Whitfield, 75, of Lilbourn, MO passed away on July 13, 2021 in Thousand Oaks, CA. Deanie was born in Chicago, IL to Meshach and Willa Mae Davis on September 23, 1945, the oldest of their sixteen children. At a very young age, she moved to North Lilbourn, MO to be raised by her grandparents, Fannie and Henry Lewis. She attended high school at East High until the passing of her grandmother, at which time she attended and graduated from Central High School in Hayti, MO. She lived with her cousin, Lula Jones, during this time.
In 1966, she was united in holy matrimony to Donell Ray Whitfield Sr., who she had known since childhood, while he was serving in the United States Air Force.
From 1976 until 1988, she was the secretary and city clerk for the city of North Lilbourn. She attended college at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, MO and Lincoln University in Jefferson City, MO. She taught school for New Madrid County R-1, Denver, CO, and San Diego, CA school districts. She worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant and with the Visiting Nurses Association with whom she was employed by until the time of her passing. She enjoyed reading, watching old westerns, and spending time with her family and friends. She was a lifetime member of Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Lilbourn, MO.
She is survived by her son, Demetric Davis of Michigan and her baby, Deidre Whitfield of California.
She was preceded in death by her son, Donell Whitfield Jr. (Buggs). She also leaves behind two brothers, Oliver Davis (Willie Lee) of Missouri and Tony Davis of Illinois, one sister, Sharon Davis of Illinois, four granddaughters, Paris of Missouri, Chinesa of Indiana, Courtney of Michigan, and Dre’Ana of Virginia, one grandson, Donell Whitfield III (Trey) of Mississippi, three great-grandsons, two great-granddaughters, a host of nieces and nephews, and dear friends. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Travis B. Howard Scholarship Fund or the Hawks Alumni Organization in Lilbourn, MO.
The family wishes to extend our gratitude to Deanie’s friends who ensured that she was surrounded by family prior to her passing, those that checked-in on her to ensure her health and welfare, and to those that ensure her loved ones are coping during these difficult times.
Funeral services will be held at Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home in Ventura, CA on July 19, 2021 at 12:00pm. Arrangements are under the direction of Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 757 E. Main Street, Ventura, CA, 93001.