Velma Ellen Davis

Velma E. Davis formerly of 25^th Street, Pottsville, died June 6, 2022 at Laurel Center, Hamburg, Pennsylvania with her husband at her bedside.  Born October 1, 1933 in Schoentown (a hamlet of Port Carbon, PA), she was the daughter of the late John and Helen Sabol.  She was a graduate of Pottsville Area High School, class of 1951, where she enjoyed participating in the Minuet, Sketch Club, and starred as “Goody” in the Senior Class play, “The Fighting Littles”.  She attended the University of Pennsylvania and the Pottsville Hospital Warne Clinic Medical Laboratory.

In her youth, she worked at the Pottsville Hospital as a phlebotomist where she met her husband of sixty-six years, Robert “Bob” Davis who was a patient at the time.  Bob was wowed by her beautiful auburn hair and incredible smile.  Bob and Velma married in 1956 and had three children. Early in their marriage, Velma worked at E.I. duPont in the laboratory when they lived in New Jersey.  The couple moved back to Pottsville in the early 1960’s, where Velma supported Bob in starting the family business, Davis Sporting Goods.  Velma also enjoyed helping Bob behind the scenes with Pottsville Winter Carnival with many a late-night breakfast feast and dressing room for the notorious Vulcans.  Later in life, Velma worked part-time at Neat Feet (a 2^nd Davis store), the Pottsville Library, and as a weekend foster parent with Bob at the Milton Hershey School.  Mostly, however, Velma dedicated her life to raising her children and, later in life, to helping care for her four grandchildren being their biggest cheerleader.  She was their Baba.

 Everyone who encountered Velma was touched by her loving, kind demeanor and charmed by her incredibly warm smile.  To quote a friend late in life, “you are a lovable woman with an angelic face that anyone could love.”

She was preceded in death by her only brother, John R. Sabol, M.D. and her son, Robert (Bobby) Glenn Davis.  Surviving her are:  husband Robert P. Davis; daughter Dr. Janine Davis Watkins  and husband Kent Watkins; daughter Attorney Liane Davis Anderson and husband John Anderson; her four grandchildren-- Rhys Watkins, Celeste Watkins, Danny Anderson, and Josie Anderson; and her many loved nieces and nephews.

Throughout her life, Velma was a devout Catholic and a lifelong member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church where a Mass of Christian Burial for Velma will be celebrated on Saturday June 18th at 11AM.  Family and friends are invited to a visitation from 10:30AM. until the time of mass. Velma will be laid to rest in the Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum with her son, Bobby following mass. Arrangements are under the care of James E. Humphrey Funeral Home, Pottsville.

Please share your memories and condolences with Velma’s family by signing the guest book at www.jehumphreyfuneralhome.com