Mrs. Jean Arthur Burwell Davis' Obituary
Jean Arthur Burwell Davis began her life on January 11, 1932 as the youngest of three children born to Willie and Mary Earnest Burwell in Lauderdale County, Mississippi. Jean grew up in a loving family surrounded by a multitude of family members from both her mother and father's side of the family. She attended Bethel Baptist Church in Meridian, Mississippi and accepted Christ at an early age.
High school graduation was forever etched into Jean's memory due to the untimely death of her father, Willie Burwell, on this special day. Following graduation, Jean attended Howard University in Washington, D.C. to study accounting. She proceeded to live in the "Big Apple", New York City, and to pursue her working career with different Federal Government agencies as an accountant, most notably the Post Office and the General Services Administration. It was here in New York, Jean met and married John Wesley Motley, an Air Force service man, and to this union two children were born: a son, Everette Jerome, and their daughter Cheryl Lynn. John's military service led them to a life in Denver, Colorado.
After divorce, Jean moved back to New York City where she raised their children with the love and support of her beloved aunts: Elmetta and Maggie Burwell. Shortly thereafter, Jean moved to Chicago and continued federal work and raising her children. She was a devoted mother, who enjoyed family life and focused on helping her children get the best education she could provide. She worked tirelessly to provide private education and prided herself on ensuring her children were well educated and endeavored to raise them with Christian morals and values. For enjoyment, Jean loved to watch movies; discuss sports and politics; play a good game of Bid Whist; and found relaxation and serenity in gardening.
Jean was a very strong-willed woman and extremely independent.
Unfortunately, this would all come to an end in 2016 when she could no longer live on her own and began living in a nursing facility. Jean left an indelible impression on the staff and became affectionately known as
"Ms. Jean". As she was making her transition, staff came to say goodbye to the feisty woman they came to know, love, and respect as "Ms. Jean"
Jean's memory will be forever honored by her son, Everette and daughter-in-law Althea; her adoring grandchildren, Everette Jr., Brandon (Melody), Christina Motley, Lauren (Adam) Hetenyi, Lindsey Tyson; and her cherished great-granddaughters Olivia and Mia Motley. She has one surviving brother, Willie (Loleitha) Burwell and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Mary Earnest and Willie Burwell; a daughter, Cheryl Lynn Tyson; and a sister, Winifred Burwell Adams.
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