Services will take place today for The Hon. Dr. Saundra Ann (Wakefield) Davis, a groundbreaking pioneer in local education and politics. Her election to the Culver City Unified School District Board of Education in 2001 marked the first time an African American was elected to public office in Culver City.
During her public service, Davis was honored by the following organizations and or elected officials: LAAAWPAC, Congresswoman Diane E. Watson, L.A. County Supervisor Yvonne Braithwaite Burke, L.A. Councilwoman Jan Perry, L.A. Councilman Martin Ludlow, LACABSE, NABSE, CABSE as well as Office Depot and the Culver City Network. She was named 2005 Democrat of the Year for the 47th Assembly District and was well known as an activist and advocate in Culver City and Los Angeles.
Davis earned a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, a master’s in Behavioral Science and Negotiation Conflict Management as well as a degree in Early Childhood Education and a master’s in governance as the result of numerous hours of study with the California School Board Association. She received certificates from UCLA and The Los Angeles County Bar Association for Dispute Resolution and Negotiations and Contract Administration. Davis held a California Teaching Credential and was a parent educator for the Los Angeles Unified School District.
She was a wife and mother of eight children and often said she prided herself on successfully raising her children. Her two eldest daughters received their master’s degrees at the ages of 21 and 22 years of age.
Davis served as the Administrator/ Director of Holy Temple Christian School, grades ranging from pre-k through sixth and also served as a Culver City Ambassador, board member on Culver City USD’s Diversity Task Force, member of the Strategic Planning Committee for Culver City Unified School District as well as for the City of Culver City.
She served on the Board of Directors for My Child Says Daddy (a parenting organization), the Honorable Diane Watson’s Congressional Advisory Commission, the Honorable Karen Bass’ Education Commission 47th AD as co-chair, as a Delegate for the 47th Assembly District, the African American Collaborative formed by the Honorable Marguerite Lamotte addressing the achievement gap, Co+Chair of Women’s Issues Forum for Women Educators, member at large of The Pacesetters (community based activist group), Fremont Community Adult School Advisory Committee, and the School Readiness Language Development Program Advisory Steering Committee. She was a member of West Angeles Church of God in Christ, UTLA (United Teachers of Los Angeles), the National Education Association, California School Boards Association, National School Boards Association, Culver City Senior Center, Culver City, West L.A., and New Frontier Democratic Clubs, Women On target and LAAAWPAC (Los Angeles African American Women’s Political Action Committee).
Services for Dr. Davis will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, October 4 at Crenshaw United Methodist Church, located at 3740 Don Felipe Dr. in Los Angeles.
Condolences may be sent to:
Mr. Bilson Davis and Family
5949 Stoneview Street
Culver City,CA 90232
Repast immediately following the funeral at:
Hyatt Regency Hotel Los Angeles
6225 W. Century Boulevard
in Westchester
Mr. Bilson Davis and family: I am eternally grateful for the valuable time and compassion shown by your beloved wife and family to my daughter Kelly. Mrs. Davis left an indelible mark of perfection on my daughter and myself that will forever remain! May God grant you and your family His peace, grace and mercy from this day forward! Hopefully we all will meet at some time in the future if God so allows…
Carol Sanford-Houseton ❤️❤️❤️
My deepest sympathies to the Davis family. I met Saundra and Bilson through a mutual friend. Just found out that Saundra went on to rest in heaven. Great woman and truly kind person. To the Bilson family ,so very sorry for your loss. May you find peace in knowing that she was loved for her kind spirit. Rest on heaven.