Claretta May (Hazzard) Davis

     Claretta May Hazzard Davis was the 5th child born to the late William Penn and Aletha M. Shockley Hazzard on August 6, 1932 in Lincoln, DE. After 93 years, she departed this life peacefully in the privacy of her home on Thursday, January 8, 2026. 

     Claretta received her early education at Slaughter Neck Elementary School. Claretta graduated from East Side High School in Newark, New Jersey. In 1955, Claretta met and married the love of her life, Robert A. Davis, while he was stationed at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware’s capital city. To hear her husband tell it, he “dazzled” her with his dancing. In 1982, Claretta graduated from Wesley College with her Associate of Arts degree in Business Administration. A few years after receiving that degree, she went on to graduate from Delaware State University with her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration.  

     Claretta held several jobs before finally entering the job that became her career. She worked for Burris Canning, Rum Stitch Dry Cleaners, Playtex, ILC, and finally Delaware State University where she worked as a secretary in the MLK Student Center and the Science Department. She concluded her career as the Administrative Secretary for the Graduate Department.  

     Claretta was raised in the church and was an active and faithful member of Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church for over 70 years. She organized and chaired the Stewardship Committee at Wesley Chapel until unable due to her health. Ever faithful, she continued serving on the committee in an emeritus capacity until her death. Claretta also co-taught the 5th and 6th grade Sunday School class with Mrs. Daisy Daniels for many years. She offered her sweet alto voice as a member of the Gospel, Adult, and Senior Choirs. Claretta, being passionate about the importance of and the value of marriage, created the “Couples for Christ” group. The group held retreats in the beautiful Pocono mountains where they enjoyed the amenities offered there and attended enriching marriage centered classes and workshops for over 20 years.  

     Claretta kept busy and enjoyed many things. She served as Den Mother while her husband, Dave, filled the role as Boy Scout Leader. She provided a nurturing spirit, extending her maternal love to all who needed the warmth and caring of another mother – including opening her home to her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Claretta relished her advisory role for her daughter Pamella’s Play Production Company (PMT) as she unselfishly offered quiet wisdom and unwavering moral support. Her skills were invaluable as an editor of scripts, content, and grammatical errors. Claretta always loved spending time with her family and friends and planned activities to bring everyone together like cookouts, post-Christmas family breakfast, fun times in the backyard pool, and the list goes on. She also loved traveling with her closest friends and family. If there was a road trip, she was going. Most of all, Claretta loved the Lord with all of her heart. She would always add God into any conversation and would encourage her family to trust and believe God. She encouraged them all to get closer to God, read his word, to make amends quickly, and to pray always.  

     Claretta was preceded in death by her husband Robert A. Davis; her daughters Edna Denise Coates and Beverly Ann Harris; her grandson Robert L. Davis Jr.; her brothers Floyd S. Hazzard, Reginald Hazzard Sr., and Granville L. Hazzard Sr.; sisters Cleora V.  Wright and Bernice Loper; and her best friend, Thorris R. Brown.  

     She leaves to cherish her memory son, Robert A. Davis (Glenn) of Elkton, MD, daughter Pamella A. Taylor (Michael) of Milford, DE, and son Dr. Orlando R. Davis (Nadia) of Bel Air, MD; one sister Irene D. Hazzard of Lincoln, DE; 15 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; and 11 great great grandchildren; five Godchildren: Jacqueline Young, Jeanine Garnes, Richard Lewis Jr.  (RJ), David Shockley Jr., Donishia Harris Forde; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. 

     A funeral service will be12:00 P.M. Thursday January 22, 2026 at Wesley Chapel U.M. Church, 23115 Slaughter Neck Road, Lincoln, DE 19960 where there will be a viewing from 10:00 A.M. until 12:00 P.M. Thursday. Burial will follow in Old Hickory Cemetery, Slaughter Neck.  Online condolences may be made via www.pippinfuneralhome.com

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