Mrs. Ina Lee Eichelberger Davis, 84, passed on August 13, 2020 at the Hayward Convalescent Home, Hayward, CA. Her big debut happened in Louisville, MS when the lives of William James Eichelberger and Sarah Coleman-Eichelberger were changed when their ninth child arrived. On September 4, 1935, Ina was birthed into the world and from there she gave love, laughs, and life until she peacefully passed. After the passing of her mother, Sarah, her father, James would marry, Betsy Ann Hughes, and to this union ten children were born. As Ina grew, she was loved and nurtured along her life with her other siblings.
Ina graduated from Louisville Negro High School in 1954, where she was involved in extracurricular activities. She played the saxophone in the band, sang in the choir, played on the basketball team, ran track and was the secretary of her class. This active life-style was something she would continue into adulthood. She moved to Oakland, CA shortly after her graduation. Her older siblings had already migrated to the city. She began her work with the Salvation Army and ultimately decided to attend Merritt Community College, Oakland, CA, where she graduated in 1968 with a certificate as a Licensed Vocational Nurse. She became employed at Kaiser Permanente specifically in the Pediatrics Hypodermic Department where the children nick named her ‘hypo Ina’. She loved her work and would ensure the children were having fun. She often wore costumes for the holidays to entertain them. After thirty seven years of laughs and care at Kaiser Permanente, Ina retired.
During her years at work, she made a beautiful family for herself. Ina married Joshua McClain in 1957 and they had three children, Brenda, Aurora and Anthony. After her marriage to Joshua ended, she married Harding Bernard Davis (Disco Dave) January 6, 1984 who had a daughter prior to their marriage, Yolanda. Ina loved her family more than anything. She made sure to express it by planning family gatherings, taking her grandchildren on road-trips, and so much more. She will be missed by family and friends but will live on in their hearts forever.
Ina leaves to celebrate her life: three daughters; Brenda Eichelberger of Alameda, CA, Aurora Nelson of Stockton, CA, Yolanda Davis-Baugh of Nashville, TN; one son, Anthony McClain, Sr. of San Bernardino, CA, a sister/daughter; Mattie Bell Eichelberger-Davis of Richmond, CA; seven grandchildren; seven great-Grandchildren; one great-Great Grandchild.
Ina leaves 12 siblings: Marcella Hubbard, Ollie Mae Walker of Oakland, CA, Barbara Faye Coleman, Elmetra Patterson-Littleton, Janice Hopkins, Clifford, Gwendolyn and Paul Eichelberger of Louisville, MS, Mattie Bell Davis and Ruth Brown of Richmond, CA, Clifton Eichelberger of Baton Rouge, LA, Aurelia Eichelberger of San Francisco, CA. Ina was preceded in death by: her husband, Harding Davis, mother, father and step-mother; ten siblings; Donia Cinderella Smith, Joy Wallace, Claudell Weaver, James Lorenzo, Walter Vernon, Fred Carl, Samuel Delano, Joseph, Isaac and Annie Lee Eichelberger.
Services were under the direction of Alameda Funeral and Cremation Services, 1415 Oak Street, Alameda, CA.