Christine Maxwell Davis

Christine Maxwell Davis, born December 7, 1925, peacefully entered eternal rest on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. A native of Portsmouth, VA, she was preceded in death by her mother, Jessie Maxwell; father, David O’Dennis Maxwell; husbands, John Lofton and Alexander Davis Sr.; sister, Margaret Blacken; brother, Lawrence Maxwell; grandparents, Bishop Samuel Mackey and Roselia Mackey; daughters, Constance Parks, Joan Roberts, Veronica Rucker, and Margaret Manley; son, John R. Lofton Jr.; grandson, George Smith; and great-granddaughter, Precious Smith. A product of Portsmouth Public Schools, she was a 1943 graduate of I.C. Norcom High School. She pursued further studies in piano and organ at New York University, religious studies at Virginia Union University, and voice under Jerene Macklin of Detroit, Michigan. Christine sang with the Negro Opera Company, and her first music training began with Professor Hiram Simmons at his music school. She studied piano, organ, and voice under him, benefiting from his compositions of over 150 hymns and anthems for churches. By the age of 13, she was playing and accompanying a group on the radio each Sunday. Christine was also associated with the Detroit Opera Company, performing in Windsor, Canada. Upon returning to Portsmouth, she developed a deep love for opera and drama, which led her to organize the Virginia Opera Guild. One of her greatest achievements was her musical opera drama, Let My People Go, which was performed over 100 times. Her next passion was serving as organist and choir director for numerous churches in Hampton Roads, as well as in Michigan and California. Christine founded her own music school, where she taught over 50 students in piano, voice, and organ. She accepted Christ at an early age in her grandfather’s church. Christine was also a teacher in the Portsmouth Public School System. Over the years, she organized numerous programs, including: • The Portsmouth Unity Choir • The Hiram Simmons Chorale Ensemble • The Youth Unity Choir • The Emancipation Celebration and the Gospelrama, which ran for over 35 years Christine performed on national television and had a weekly radio program on WKGM Smithfield, where she played the pipe organ. She taught church music for the United Christian Bible Institute and established her non-profit organization, H.O.P.S. (Helping Others Progress Successfully, Inc.). For 35 years, she was a member and organist at Park View United Methodist Church, where she was the first African American organist. She later joined Ebenezer Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. Leroy Hill Jr.. Christine was also a member of the African American Historical Society, Portsmouth Pan Players, and the Civic Chorale Society. As a writer, she had a deep love for poetry. Her poem, A True Dream, won an International Library of Poetry Award. Christine’s work and community contributions were recognized in Black Enterprise, Upscale, and New Choice magazines (1998). She is also mentioned in Dr. Lemuel Berry’s book of Accomplished Musicians. She will be remembered for her dedication to family, church, community, and friends. Awards and Recognitions Christine received numerous awards, including: • NAACP • Girls Inc. • Negro History and Cultural Pluralism • The State Tourist Corporation • Zeta Phi Beta Inc. • African American History Society • Montagu Award from the City of Portsmouth • The Young People’s Guild • The Jefferson Award • L. Douglas Wilder Award • Wesley Community Center • The United States Postal Service (USPS) Cherished Family and Loved Ones Christine leaves to cherish her memory: • Two sons: Rev. Alexander Davis Jr. (Corliss) and Lawrence C. Davis • One nephew: Lawrence Maxwell • One niece: Cecelia Christian • Grandsons: Roderick and Cortrell Davis, James Hall, Omar Williams, Derek Williams, Rev. Hugo Morrison (Tanika), Kyser Siscoe (Avonna) • Granddaughters: Veranda Davis, Yolanda Barrow (Cornelius), Kimberly Smith, Edith Burns, Ramona Smith, Dionne Roberts, Maria Mackey, Cheryl Smith (Michael) and Sierra Hill (Phillip) ), Kia Siscoe (Clarence), Twe’ Siscoe, and Ebonee Powell. • Great-Grandchildren: To’Nee, Tamia, Jahniya, Jonel, Runel, LaShawnda, Alexandria, Zhamir, Deandre, Marcus, Jordan, Jasmine, LaShawn, Xaniah, Fierra, TyVeion, Nehemiah, Rahlo and Aria Davis • A host of great-great-grandchildren, cousins, and friends • Sons-in-law: Donnell Manley and Robert Parks • Goddaughter: Terry Early (Bob) • Caretakers: Antionette Franklin and Beverly Smalls • Best friend: Carol Downing

Christine Maxwell Davis

December 7, 1925 - March 12, 2025