Suzette Davie

Suzette (Susie) was born July 13, 1958 to the union of Isaiah and Sarah Yates in Kansas City, Missouri.  She was the eighth child of twelve children.  Her daughter Ronnise LeAnne Yates Davie, parents: Isaiah and Sarah Yates; two sisters: Mary Lou Williams and Maudie Sue Yates- Khalifah; one brother: General Eugene Woods; two brothers – in law: Vernon Williams and Rufus Ridley all preceded her in death.

Suzette attended Woodland Elementary School, Lincoln Jr. High and graduated from Manual High School in 1977.  Suzette received an associates degree in accounting and business management from Penn Valley Community College.

Suzette was married to Ronald Davie.  To this union, three children were born, one son, J’Ron Anthony Yates, and two daughters: Ronnise Yates-Davie and Sarronda Maylu Davie.  Suzette was a loving and caring mother of her three beautiful children.  She trained her children in the way of the Lord.  She taught and displayed Christian values to her children.  Every morning, Suzette and her children had devotion at a set time.  She taught her children scriptures and how to pray.  Suzette made certain that her life and household was guided by Joshua 24:15b “but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”  Anytime Suzette and her children prepared to leave their home, regardless how many times they left in a given day, they never left without praying, and quoting Joshua 24:15b.

Suzette not only taught her children scriptures and how to pray, she taught hymns and sacred songs.  Her children grew up singing in the children and youth choirs that she directed. Suzette’s compassion for children was exemplified in the love, care and patience of her own twins with special needs.  Although, her twins dealt with obstacles, she positioned herself to teach them basic academic knowledge, but above that, she taught them about the love of God.  Every Sunday when Suzette and her children went to church, they had prepared and studied their Sunday school lesson during the week.  Suzette loved her children and provided for them with the resources she had.  She often denied herself in order for her children to have what was needed but never missed celebrating their birthdays with a special cake.  She trusted and believed that the Lord would take care of her family. But, in the midst of praying, Suzette found ways to be resourceful.  She often made and sold treats to help make ends meet.  Truly, Suzette was a virtuous woman in her home.

Suzette had a caring and compassionate heart for children with special needs.  She became a part-time bus driver for the Laidlaw Bus Company transporting special needs students to Trails West State School.  Suzette enrolled in Avila College to pursue a degree in special education. After years of driving the bus part time and going to college full time, she needed more in order to support her family.  Through faith and trust in God; and much prayer, Suzette made the decision to put her degree on hold and seek full-time employment.  She was only a few hours away from earning her degree.

BUT GOD WAS IN THE PLAN!

Over the years of transporting the students, the administration and staff at Trails West recognized her commitment, compassion, caring and concern towards the students, they offered her a position as a teacher’s assistant.  The hours towards her degree allowed her to become a certified substitute teacher.  God opened the windows of heaven and poured out blessings to her.  Not only did Suzette obtain a better paying job, she was able to continue transporting the students.  Her workday consisted of transporting the students safely to Trails West, unloading them off the bus, working with them in the classroom, loading them back onto the bus, and finally transporting them safely back home.

But, the blessings did not stop there.  God still had more blessings with her name on it.  Suzette was asked by the Trails West administration to accept a full-time certified classroom teacher position, which included ALL of the benefits of a certified teacher.  Suzette no longer had to worry about being able to provide for her family.  God fixed it where she didn’t need two jobs, but one great job, praise be to God from whom all blessings flow! Suzette held the position as a full time teacher at Trails West for several years, and later completed her degree at Avila College. Suzette’s health began to decline, but she continued to work at the school, but as a teacher’s assistant.

She officially retired from Trails West in December 2020.  She had not quite understood retirement, but Suzette went from labor to reward.

Suzette was fondly known as “Susie” by the entire family.  Her mother was probably the only one who referred to her as “Suzette”.  Susie was known for the many roles she held and the lives she touched within the family.  Susie and her mother always lived together.  Susie never left home as a young person to live on her own.  Susie made sure that her mother was well taken care of.  When her mother’s health began to decline, Susie provided compassionate and loving care for her.  Because of her unselfish love, her mother was never placed in a nursing home.  She was right there when her mother took her last breath.

Susie was also known as the “family glue” (a phrase coined by one of her nieces) because she held the family together.  Susie was the glue that connected the descendants of the McBrayer, Palmer, Haynes family as the national president for over twenty-five years.  Everyone in the family from coast to coast knew Susie.  She made sure everyone received information regarding all upcoming family reunions.  Susie also made sure condolences were sent on behalf of the national family and the Yates family as well.  Susie knew the power of prayer. She sent out emails and text messages requesting prayer for family members wherever they were.

Suzette not only had a heart for her family, but she had a heart for the souls people. She founded and started “Salvation, Love, and Devotion” ministry.  The purpose of the ministry was to spread the word of God and help those in need.  Her dream was to acquire a building to house the homeless.  Suzette created and passed out flyers and bookmarks to people in the community in order to spread the gospel.  Suzette also ministered to the love of God through her melodious voice.  She sang with the “Issac Presents Harmony” gospel group.

Suzette was also a regular contributor to the KC Call newspaper, where she shared her inspirational writings.

Suzette received her acceptance certificate as a published author in 2001 in Nevada at the national awards ceremony.  Suzette continued sharing and publishing her writings in forms of greeting cards, and framed art.  Suzette eventually compiled her writings into a published collection: Words to Lift You in 2006.

Serving the Lord was a way of life in the Yates family.  As a result, Suzette accepted Christ at Barker Temple Church of God in Christ under the leadership of the late Bishop E. Harris Moore.  Suzette was truly a servant of the Lord.  At the age of nine, it was not unusual to hear or see Suzette witnessing and telling others about the love of God.  Suzette and her siblings always attended church.  Sunday school was a very important part of their Christian home.  Suzette attended Sunday school as a small child throughout her young adult years. She later became a Sunday school teacher for the children, then the children’s division superintendent. Suzette was chosen as the general Sunday school superintendent of the church.  As the general Sunday school superintendent, Suzette always planed surprises and treats for special occasions.  At Easter, she made and filled baskets for the children.  On Mother’s Day, she served muffins for all the mothers; on Father’s Day she served doughnuts for all the dads. For the Pastor’s and First Lady’s birthdays, she always provided them with special treats.

Suzette wrote original Christmas and Easter plays for the church.  She also wrote and developed lessons, arts & crafts and numerous other materials for the church’s annual vacation bible school sessions.

Suzette sang in the choir her entire life and served as a choir director for many years. As the director of the children’s choir, she used creative methods of teaching the children songs about God.  One example, she changed the words to the Campbell Soup jingle to: “that’s what Jesus Christ is… mmm mmm good’.

Truly, Suzette had a lifetime devoted to God.

Suzette leave to cherish her memory two children, one son: J’Ron Anthony Yates and one daughter Sarronda Maylu Davie (“Susiebaby”) both of Kansas City, Missouri; Four brothers: Johnnie (Minnie) Henson, Isaiah Yates, Jr. Rickey Yates, Sr. (Regina) all of Kansas City, Missouri; James Yates of Paris Texas. Six sisters: Dr. Linda (Bishop Charles) Williams, Barbara Ridley, Izeta Yates-Simpson, Ira Yates all of Kansas City, Missouri; JoAnn Johnson of Atlanta, Georgia and April Hill of San Diego, California. One uncle: George Lewis of Lubbock, Texas. Two aunts: Margaret (John) Dulley of Kansas City, Missouri and Jean Haynes of Dallas, Texas; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, friends and the Barker Memorial church family.

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