Ms. Jenell Brown Davis' Obituary
Funeral Service for Ms. Jenell Brown Davis, 95, of Alexander City/ Auburn Alabama, will be on Friday, July 3, 2026, at 11:00 am at the Chapel of Radney Funeral Home. Rev. Griff Pemberton and John Gunter will officiate. Burial will follow in the Alexander City Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday, July 3, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Radney Funeral Home.
Jenell Brown Davis, a loving, wise, and selfless Christian woman, passed away on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at her residence, leaving behind a legacy of faith, devotion, and service to others.
Born on March 29, 1931, to John Earnest Brown and Jewell Railey Brown, Ms. Davis lived a long and meaningful life rooted in family, hard work, and kindness. She was raised with strong values that shaped the way she cared for others throughout her life. In her younger years, she was a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, and later she attended First Baptist Church Alexander City, where she also participated in the Joy Class. Her faith remained an important part of her life and was reflected in the way she treated everyone she met.
Ms. Davis attended Eva Comer finishing school in Birmingham, Alabama, where she received education that helped prepare her for the many roles she would later fill with grace and determination. She began her working life at The Boston Store, a clothing store, and later worked for a bank. Even then, she carried a dream of owning her own business. That dream became a reality when she founded ABC Daycare, which she owned and operated for 28 years. Through that work, she became known by many as Nanny Nell, Miss Nell, and Momma Nell. She loved each and every child she cared for, and her daycare became a place of comfort, learning, and affection for countless families.
Ms. Davis was deeply devoted to her family, and her greatest joy came from being surrounded by those she loved. She is survived by her sons, Reese (Bo) Davis and Scott (Marcia) Davis, her daughter, Charlayne “Layne” (Alan) Howard. She is also survived by her sister, Barbara Keeton, and her son-in-law, Rocky Owens. Her memory will be cherished by her grandchildren, Ashley (Ryan) Meehan, Meredith (Clark) Hilton, John Christopher Davis, Peggy (Donald) Murphy, Klay (Skylar) Howard, Trevor (Rebecca) Howard, Natalie (Chris) Johnson, Natalie (Adam) Fuller, Griff (Traci) Pemberton, Ashton (Ben Schwitzer) Bailey, Molly (Patrick Betts) Bailey and Zachary Bailey. She also leaves behind eighteen great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren, all of whom were blessed by her love and presence.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John Earnest Brown and Jewell Railey Brown, and by her daughter, Karen Davis Owens. She was also preceded in death by her siblings, Mary Ellen Howard, Faye Zajac, Glynn Brown, Johnnie Zajac, and Betty Blanks. Their memories remained close to her heart throughout her life, and she carried their love with her always.
Ms. Davis enjoyed many simple pleasures that brought her happiness and reflected her warm spirit. She loved Lake Martin and treasured the times when her children and grandchildren gathered there with her. She was an avid fan of the Alabama Crimson Tide and attended many games over the years, cheering with enthusiasm and pride. She also had a green thumb and found joy in caring for plants and watching them grow. These interests were a reflection of who she was, a woman who appreciated beauty, family, and the blessings of everyday life.
Those who knew Jenell Brown Davis will remember her as a woman of strength, compassion, and quiet wisdom. She had a gift for making others feel valued, and she gave of herself generously in every season of life. Her influence reached far beyond her home, her church, and her business, because she touched hearts wherever she went. Her family and friends will forever cherish her example of love, faith, and selfless devotion.
A life so well lived leaves behind memories that will not fade. Though she will be deeply missed, the legacy of Jenell Brown Davis will continue through the generations she nurtured, the children she loved, and the family she held so dear.
Radney Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Jenell Brown Davis.
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