Ethel Jean Davis

Ethel Jean, the only child of Richard and Josie Brogdon, was born on February 16, 1938 at Florence Crittenden Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. Ethel was educated in the Detroit Public Schools system (Wingert Elementary School, McMichael Junior High School and Northwestern High School).

Throughout Ethel’s formative and early adult years in Detroit, she attended Ebenezer A.M.E. Church and St. Stephens A.M.E. Church. She served on the Young Adult Usher Board at St. Stephens A.M.E. Church. She worked for the Federal Reserve Bank.

On October 2, 1960, Ethel married James Todd Davis. During July, 1961, Ethel and James moved to Los Angeles, California. During December 1963, the Davis family moved to Compton, California. Ethel and James were blessed with three sons (Richard Todd, James Allen and Tyrone Hans).

In California, Ethel’s home church was Grant A.M.E. Church in Los Angeles. She continued her education and received her Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees from California State University, Dominguez Hills.

Ethel was a Life Member of the National Council of Negro Women, Compton, CA Section. She was also very involved with community organizations in the City of Compton, including Concerned Citizens of Compton, and Take-C Block Club.

Ethel provided over 30 years of dedicated employment service to the Compton Unified School District and the City of Compton. Ethel retired from the City of Compton on August 16, 2000.

Ethel departed from this life on December 18, 2025. Ethel was preceded in death by her husband (James Todd) and her great-grandson (Malcolm P. Charles [Nicholette]). She leaves to cherish her memory: Three sons (Richard, James A. and Tyrone), two daughters-in-law (Barbara and Lydia), six grandchildren (Nicholette, Portia, Richard Ti, Jermaine, Lamar, and Danielle [Matt Briggs]), one great-grandson (Barney Briggs), and a host of other relatives and friends.