Ivan Davis

Madison - On May 31, 2016, Ivan Lorraine (Adams) Davis, of Madison, WI, while surrounded by family and after a life well lived, peacefully reclined into the arms of her Heavenly Father and gracefully closed her eyes and entered into eternal rest.

Life:
Ivan Lorraine was born and raised in Charleston, West Virginia to the union of Evey E. Adams and Mabel (Wilson) Adams, September 15, 1928. Lorraine enjoyed her childhood to the fullest and she often reminisced and mischievously giggled about her inquisitive nature and exploring spirit. These memories included "old-school" games such as: jacks, marbles and various card games and as she matured she later became an aficionado of crossword puzzles.

Education:
Lorraine developed a love for learning early in life. She matriculated through the Charleston public school system, graduating from Garnet High School and then enrolling at West Virginia State College where she earned a degree in biology. Her tenacious spirit lead her to move to Madison, WI to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison in pursuit of a master degree in Zoology. Shortly after starting this program, she realized, "I didn't want to look into a microscope all my life..." and thus, her career in the field of Social Work began. In 1965, Lorraine graduated at the top of her class with a Master of Science in Social Work.

Not only did Lorraine have a passion for education, she also was deeply committed to serving her community. Her membership with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. provided a path in helping her to fulfill this commitment. In 1976, Lorraine joined with 19 other members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. to become a charter member of Madison's Kappa Psi Omega graduate chapter.

Her service also included authoring one book along with several articles and receiving many state and national awards for her advocacy of children and was member of many groups with that focus, including The Children's Trust Fund, Dane County Parent Council, and the Exchange Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse.

Lorraine ferociously gave and invested 30 years of faithful work to the State Department of Public Instruction's Bureau for Pupil Services, serving as a consultant for School Social Work while specializing in child-abuse issues. In her retirement, she enjoyed nature photography, scrapbooking, silversmithing and traveling.

Marriage:
Lorraine met and married Ralph Lorenzo Davis and they were married for 53 years and from that union, came three beautiful children.

Lorraine was preceded in death by her father, Evey E. Adams and her mother, Evelyn Mabel Wilson; her husband Ralph Lorenzo, and a host of other family members especially her dear uncles: Harvey, Thomas, George, Stanford, Robert and aunts, Delilah and Delulah, and friends.

Lorraine is survived by her three children: Denise Laverne (Tony - deceased), Madison; R. Lowell (Jody), Verona; Price London (Laura), Richmond, VA. Three grandchildren; Ambia Lorraine, Milwaukee; Justus Reyhan, Richmond, VA; and Dusty Witte (Amanda), Chicago, IL. One great-grandchild, Zania Denise, Milwaukee. A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 10, 2016 at Mount Zion Baptist Church, 2019 Fisher Street, Madison, WI, with a visitation from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Interment will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery, 1 Speedway Rd., Madison, WI 53705.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road, Madison
608-238-3434