“font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;”>Justyne L. Williamson-Davis, a longtime teacher in the St. Louis Public Schools system, died on April 15, 2011. She was born on January 31, 1942 in Kewanee, Missouri and moved to St. Louis at the age of ten to live with her aunt and uncle, Dorothy and Lipscomb Staples, who contributed greatly to her education.
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“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>She attended Cole School and graduated with honors from Soldan High School in 1959. She enrolled at the University of Missouri in Columbia when the population of African-American students numbered only 40, and she received her Bachelor of Science in Education degree in 1964. She completed graduate studies at Webster University and earned a Master of Arts in Teaching Degree in 1976. She began her teaching career in the Berkeley School District before moving to St. Louis Public Schools, concluding at Walbridge Elementary School, and retiring after 40 years in public education.
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“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>She married Philip L. Davis in 1967, and they were blessed with a baby daughter, Phylis, in 197l. After 35 years of marriage, Justyne and Philip renewed their vows shortly before Philip’s death in 2002.
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“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>Mrs. Davis was a longtime member of Third Presbyterian Church (formerly the Third United Presbyterian Church) under the leadership of the late Minister Arthur B. McFadden. She was an active member of the choir, Twosomes Club, and a Sunday School teacher.
“mso-spacerun: yes;”> Lambda Sorority and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star’s Pride of the West Chapter #99.
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“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>She received numerous awards and proclamations from organizations such as the NAACP and the IOTA Phi Lambda Sorority, along with the Essence Teacher of the Year Award in 1986, Dr. Fredda Witherspoon Distinguished Service Award in 1989, the George Washington Carver Award for Teaching Science from the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, and the University of Missouri’s Curators Award.
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“font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>Justyne Davis was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She was an educator, mentor, historian, motivator, and visionary. She was a faithful servant of God. Her survivors and loved ones include her daughter, Phylis, and her only grandchild, Jaylen; her aunt, Dorothy Staples; her kindred sister, LaVern Lenoir; her brother-in-law, Sonny Davis; and a host of relatives, church members, sorors, colleagues, students, caregivers, friends, and extended family.
