Mrs. Melissia Diann Noland Davis

Melissa Diann it's so hard to say goodbye. You were my go to girl, my lawyer, my counselor, Oh how I miss you already. If you needed something done give it to Melissa, it was Done! Oh, the stories she could tell, beat you (literally) laughing. She was the "BOSS LADY" NEVER ENDING LOVE for her entire family. She loved Burk, Cole, Trey, Pate and Naomi. My sister-friend. We traveled to Sorority Conventions- Meeting now I better as she would say after slapping you on the back or pinching you "SHUT YOUR MOUTH". Love that girl. Peggie Carpenter, EH Forevet.

Diann, your memories will be with us. (Class of 1980) forever. Thank you for hosting your farewell party at your home. While we thought it was a fundraiser party, but it was not. It was a party where we all were given the opportunity to say farewell my friend and goodbye! Until then we will let your memories be our solace when the tears swell up in our eyes. We love you!

Sharon Richardson

We were so honored to have experienced the love and joy that she brought to this earth. She opened her home and heart to me and so many others. Thank you to her family for sharing her. She will be deeply missed but the memories we chersihed will last a lifetime.

To the Davis Family, as you lay my beautiful and sweet Soror Melissia to rest in peace today, please know my heart,thoughts and prayers are with you #The Lord God is my strength# Habakkuk 3:19. Love, Audrey Gable Peterson

To the Davis Family, as you lay my beautiful Soror to rest in peace today, please know my heart, thoughts and prayers are with you. #The Lord God is my strength# Habakkuk 3:19.

Condolences to Burkles Davis and family. Sorority Melissa was a beautiful, caring, loving young lady. I am truely saddened. Rest in heaven.Lynda Linebarger

Words cannot express how saddened I am to hear of Diann passing. You were blessed to have such a wonderful and giving person among you. She was a jewel. I pledged under her over 40 years ago at Stillman. She was small in status but big in heart. She was one bossy big sister and meant what she said. May the memory of her bring you comfort and peace. My heart is with you in your time of sorrow. I will truly miss her. Cynthia T. Carter - Stillman College Class of 1980.q

Our hearts are sad, but Heaven has gained another angel. Diann and I also met at Stillman over 40 years ago. She later met and married my cousin; another jewel added to our family. The most told story in our family is when Diann was in DC for president Obama's inauguration. Diann, my son who lives in DC and my daughter who is Diann's soror spent the weekend together. Oh the stories from that week end. Diann and I lived on the same floor in Hay Hall dorm at Stillman and attended Elizabeth Baptist Church together. Diann, such an encouragement she was to many. Burke and Family, we love you guys and definitely miss Diann. We are praying for you. Michael and Bonnie Hobson-Lavender and family (Kenyatta, Renetta & Mike)

To Melissa's immediate and extended family please accept my deepest sympathy. I know you are aware that in Melissa you were blessed with a rare gem. I was fortunate to meet and pledge with Melissa 43 years ago. She was passionate, kind hearted, a go-getter, and bossy. Melissa, was the glue that held us together. You were the Ace #1 and I held down the middle #5, we will always and forever be the Tenacious Ten. My Soror and Friend you will truly be missed. Jacquelyn "Jackie" Lockett Peeples p

To Melissa's immediate and extended families: "I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death. They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make. Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories." With deepest sympathy, Clarence Bell, Fellow Stillmanite, Class of 1972.

I met Diann my freshman year at Stillman College. She was my cousin Denise's roommate. The next year I was initiated to Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Our friendship bloomed for over 30 years. Later, we worked across the street from each other. I would often visit her office. One day whiling visiting, she told me I was watching you from the window . You look like you put on some weight. Those that knew her she knew she didn't bite her tongue!! After she became ill we would call or text each either. The last time I visited her, we talked about her family(especially the grandkids),vacations and Stillman. Diann was petite in statue but had a big heart. After over 30 years of friendship she never called me by my name. I was always "Mock". Rest on Diann I will miss you! Deborah Mock-Nevels

Melissa & I met several years ago while attending one of our Beloved Stillman College Homecomings. We become instantly connected when she found out I was her Soror and the younger sister of one her favorite big sisters and Friend. She was one I looked forward to seeing each year and knew that she would be there with that "Tiger Pride". I will truly miss her beautiful spirit. May happy memories carry you through this sorrowful time

We offer our sincere condolences to the family Arnold & Robyn Lindsey

Melissa, whom I called Diann, met many years ago during our early school years on one of my trips to Kennedy, AL, where she lived and my aunt Helen Blanton worked as a teacher. My aunt was very fond of the entire Noland family and spoke of them often. We picked my aunt up to bring her back home to Birmingham on the weekends, but she had a home in Kennedy during the week. Diann and I reconnected as adults when we discovered we were Delta Sorors, she being initiated at Stiillman and me at Tennesee State. Our bond strengthened as we met at Delta meetings over the years and shared mutual Delta friends. She was a sweet, sweet spirit, loving her family (especially those grands), her alma mater, Stillman College, and our Sorority unconditionally. I know her parents, her sister Patricia who went as a young lady, will open heaven up to receive her. RIP Soror Diann!

Soror Melissa and I met at Stillman College 43 years ago and have remain Sorors and friends. My heart is broken,but Heaven has gained an angel. My thoughts and prayers are with the Davis family, DST and the community. Love Audrey Gable Peterson

Soror Davis and I met in Spr04 she was my Sorority campus advisor, from day one we form a bond and after I crossed we become even closer. She had a heart of gold and was always so loving. I will miss her dearly, I'm thankful for all the memories I shared with her. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family

May God continue to bless and comfort the family

Poem written by Erma Roberts Tenacious Ten_____FOREVER! First there were ten_____Tenacious! Melissia in the front, Erma, the Tail End____Tenacious! Jeanette, Doris, Pat, Jackie, Sayaunda, Denise, Karolyn and Dominic all in between_______Tenacious! Then there were nine; Heaven's gates opened, number one entered and devastated our line. She was our glue from beginning to end Oh so many tears, so much rain; But the nine shall remain______Tenacious to the bitter end! But then again, we will always be ten___Tenacious! Tenacious to begin, Tenacious then; Tenacious now and to the very end! You may say Wakanda Forever, we say TENACIOUS FOREVER!

Melissia and I have been sorors/friends 43 years. We pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. in 1977 together. She was the Ace, I was the Tail End of the Tenacious Ten. My favorite memory of her is the story she tells everybody about our first encounter! I'm sure many have heard the story. On my last visit with her at her home in Kennedy, she told it to her family and what a laugh we had! I will truly miss her. We are not sisters by blood, but we are definitely sisters by our hearts and she really had a heart of gold. Tenacious FOREVER!!! I love and miss you. Soror Erma Roberts "Tail End" #10, Fall '77

Melissa and our families have been neighbors for 25 years. She was always a positive and friendly person. The last memory I have of her was how beautiful she looked when I saw her last. That beautiful smile and positive attitude really touched my heart. You have been an inspiritation to a lot of individuals.

Melissa was a beautiful person, inside and out. Our friendship started at Stillman where I was employed but grew outside of hat and she became a specil friend. I am deeply saddened by her loss and lease know that you, her family, have my condolences.

Diann and I met many years ago when she attended Stillman and was dating Burke. Our friendship grew from there. We enjoyed many memorable times together and had many long conversations. She often told me how much she loved her family and enjoyed being in Kennedy. I will truly miss my friend.

Diann and I met many years ago when she attended Stillman and was dating Burke. Our friendship grew from there. We enjoyed many memorable times together and had many long conversations. She often told me how much she loved her family and enjoyed being in Kennedy. I will truly miss my friend.

Diann and I met many years ago when she attended Stillman and was dating Burke. Our friendship grew from there. We enjoyed many memorable times together and had many long conversations. She often told me how much she loved her family and enjoyed being in Kennedy. I will truly miss my friend.

Diann and I met many years ago when she attended Stillman and was dating Burke. Our friendship grew from there. We enjoyed many memorable times together and had many long conversations. She often told me how much she loved her family and enjoyed being in Kennedy. I will truly miss my friend.

Diann and I met many years ago when she attended Stillman and was dating Burke. Our friendship grew from there. We enjoyed many memorable times together and had many long conversations. She often told me how much she loved her family and enjoyed being in Kennedy. I will truly miss my friend.

I met Melissia years ago, she worked for Senator Shelby and I for Congressman Mike Espy. We attended trips together and over the years stayed in contact. Since her illness we corresponded more. Through it all she provided encouragement for me and my I'll husband although she was ill. That's the kind of person she was so kind and sweet to everyone. I will miss her

Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.