Obituary of Tanya LaWanza Davis

A Life To Remember “I have fought the good fight of faith And laid hold on eternal life.” I Timothy 6:12 Tanya LaWanza Davis, daughter of Ernest and Joyce Davis, was born on May 11, 1968 in El Paso, Texas. She was the oldest of three children. As the oldest daughter of a federal employee family, Tanya had the opportunity to travel the first ten years of her life. She lived in Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, Georgia and Texas. Tanya attended St. Mary Parish School in Greensboro, North Carolina for the first two years of her primary school education. Her social life started at a very early age, having been a Brownie and Girl Scout, where she rose all the way to Cadet status. She matriculated to Bonham Middle School in Temple, Texas where she was a superior athlete and an exceptional twirler. Tanya attended Belton High School in Belton, Texas, where she excelled in sports such as track and field and volleyball. Tanya proved not only to be an outstanding athlete and student, but was also active in the community. During her junior year of high school, Tanya won first place in the Debutante Ball sponsored by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. Following Tanya’s graduation in 1986, she went on to attend Prairie View A&M University, in Prairie View, Texas, where she had the full college experience in just her first year.  Tanya later worked in the computer technology field in both Texas and New York, before returning to Paul Quinn College in Dallas, Texas in 2002 to complete her degree in information technology. During the final years of her life, Tanya’s strength and perseverance was a true testament to the love and devotion of her mother and caretaker, Joyce Davis. Never missing an opportunity to verbally express her love for her family, Tanya’s eyes would light up when her dad entered the room. She was a loving daughter and aunt, protective sister, and loyal friend. She will always be remembered for her love of dancing, perfume, soap operas, big hair, and rhinestones. Without a doubt, she lived a full life and above all she knew she was loved. She is preceded in death by her grandmother, Doris L. Paige; grandfather, Chaffee Adams and two uncles, Comet and Terry Russell. Left to cherish her memories are her loving parents, Ernest and Joyce Davis; her devoted sisters, Nyanza Moore (Erik) and Nicole Roberts (Gregory); and adorable nieces, Kennedy Moore, Elizabeth and Olivia Roberts; and a host of cousins, family and friends. The visitation and funeral service for Tanya will be held Saturday, March 26, 2016 at Clayton Funeral Home, 5530 W. Broadway, Pearland, Texas 77581. The visitation will take place from 10:00 until 11:00 am and the service will follow at 11:00 am with Rev. Arthur Waldrup, Sr. officiating. Interment will follow at Houston Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Pearland, Texas.