Grace Darlene Davis

Grace Darlene Davis effectively known as Darlene, eighty-eight years old, departed this life on August 14, 2024, at Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital in Newburgh, NY. She was born August 6, 1936, in Danville, Virginia, to John Pointer and Addie Sue Pointer. At three years old, Darlene and her mother came to Newburgh, NY, to visit her sister Grace. Her mother fell in love with the City of Newburgh as well as Matthew Johnson and history was made. Darlene and her sister Doris began school in Rosten, NY, in a two-room school. She moved to Newburgh and attended the Newburgh Public School System.

Darlene and her sister Doris’s first experience with employment was working on an onion farm. After graduating to a better job, they started at Dubet Bags Pocketbook Factory. Darlene attended church with her parents at Ebenezer Baptist Church at the tender age of ten. Darlene continued to serve faithfully under the leadership of Reverend Burris, Reverend Burton, Reverend Saul Williams, Reverend Henderson, Dr. Ralph E. Harris, Reverend George Smith, and Pastor Bruce Davis.

Darlene’s greatest love was worshipping God through the usher’s ministry. Darlene moved her membership to the Church of God by Faith under
the pastoral leadership of Pastor Will Williams.

Darlene dedicated her life to the International Free and Accepted Modern Masons Incorporated and the Order of Eastern Star. She started Sisters of Esther Chapter 177 in Newburgh, New York, and the first youth court 195. She has held various positions, including Worthy Matron, District Matron, Treasurer, and Financial Secretary. She was made an honorary member when she turned eighty and has been a fifty-plus-year member. She belonged to the Queen of the South and the Exalted Degree.

Darlene loved her children, but she was very overprotective. She would often be seen by everyone on Chambers Street, peeking out of the window at 111 to make sure they were all right. She was even more protective of her siblings and friends.

Darlene was a great historian and took center stage at family reunions and gatherings; everyone needed to know she was the oldest. She was an equal opportunist and often stated, “Wherever you started at is where you get it at.” One of her funniest stories was chasing a girl down to the riverfront and the only reason she didn’t catch her was because she jumped on the ferry and got away.

Darlene leaves to cherish and celebrate her memories with her children Albert Marshall(Dorothy), Gerald A. Rouse, Charles Clark, Dorrian Boone, and Lendwood J. Boone(Yvette), as well as two daughters, Cheryl Boursequot and Ethel Adeline Haynes. Darlene’s legacy continues with twenty-four grandchildren, forty-one great-grandchildren, and ten great-great-grandchildren. Darlene was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin Davis; her daughter, Debra Boone; her parents, Matthew and Addie Sue Johnson; brothers, Matthew and Gary Johnson; sisters, Nancy Berkley, Barbara Williams, and Eloise Johnson.