Mrs. Gladys Howard Davis

On July 10, 2021, God called his angel Gladys Howard Davis from labor to rest with 100 years of service. She was born on June 7, 1921 to the late Ezekiel Howard and Elizabeth “Winnie” Pollard Howard. She grew up in the City of Alexandria, Virginia along with her nine other siblings. Gladys attended Parker Gray Elementary School. She graduated from the old Park-Gray High School, and continued her education at Tuskegee Institution, The National Institute of Practical Nurses in Washington, D.C. and Temple Business School. Gladys began her working career in 1947 with Alexandria Library working at the then segregated Robert Robinson Branch Library (now the Black History Resource Center), until it closed in 1960. She was then assigned on the local Book Mobile followed by decades of service at the Kate Waller Barrett “Queen Street” Library. In 2000, Gladys transferred to Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library where she worked in the Children’s Department until she retired in April of 2008. On February 13, 2007, Mayor William D. Euille and Alexandria City Council presented Gladys with a proclamation for her 60 years of service with the Alexandria Library. The proclamation acknowledges the years of service Gladys provided to the Alexandria Library, the community, as well as her service to the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Alexandria, VA. In 2013, for Black History Month, Alexandria Library honored Gladys for her 60 years of service to the library, in which she witnessed much transformation during her tenure. During an interview with Rose Dawson, Alexandria Library Director, Gladys shared her experiences as a lifelong resident, growing up in Alexandria and the many historical events that occurred during the period of segregation. Gladys enjoyed sharing her memories of historical events pertaining to the library, in particular the Alexandria Library sit-in of 1939, acknowledging her personal connection with the men involved with the sit-in including the organizer Samuel W. Tucker. In addition to her library career, she worked thirty years as an educational secretary for the Alexandria City Public Schools, retiring in June 1987. As a lifelong member of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Alexandria, Gladys served as Treasure and was a member of the Senior Choir. Her Husband, the late Robert E. Davis, preceded Gladys in death. Her siblings Hampton Howard, Hazel Howard, Margaret Poindexter, Zenetta Crockett, Mary H. Penn, Marion Howard Smith, Clifton Howard, and Evelyn Hopkins also preceded her in death. She leaves to cherish her memory, one Sister, Christine Howard, stepdaughter Hilda Davis, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of other family members and friends.

Mrs. Gladys Howard Davis

June 7, 1921 - July 10, 2021

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