Mrs. Lydia Lenora Davis Calviness peacefully answered God’s call on Thursday morning, September 13, 2012, at her home.

She was born on May 3, 1919, to the late Joseph and Mattie Davis in Southampton County, Va.

Lydia attended public schools in Southampton County and graduated from Hayden High in Franklin, Va. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Elizabeth City State Teachers College in 1944.

Her first teaching job was in Southampton County and she ended her career of 38 years in Prince George County, Va.

Lydia became a certified graduate member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., in 1961 in Petersburg, Va. She was very proud to be a Zeta.

Lydia was a faithful member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church where she attended service regularly. She served diligently as Sunday school secretary, senior choir member, deaconess, missionary and church clerk. Lydia enjoyed her service to the glory of God, praising Him for all blessings big and small.

She was preceded in death by her husband, the Rev. G. Nathaniel Calviness, who pastored Pleasant Plain Baptist Church, Providence Baptist Church (Dinwiddie County, Va.), and Calvary Baptist Church (Ahoskie, N.C.); two brothers, Paul N. Davis and Russell Parker; and six sisters, Esther S. McGee, Eunice P. Bell, Helen D. Fields, Mattie D. Jackson, Ethel D. Cartwright and Sadie D. Barber.

Left to cherish her memory are two dearly devoted sisters, Lorraine D. Roberson and Johnnie D. Bradley; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, September 19, at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Drewryville, Va., on Southampton Parkway.

God makes our lives a medley of joy and tears, hope and help, love and encouragement.