Arnita C. (Foster) Davis passed away Monday February 15, 2021.

On December 12, 1959, a Beautiful baby girl with lots of curly brunette hair was born to the loving couple Mr. Thelbert Lee Foster, Sr. and Mrs. Vernell Foster at Boston City Hospital in Boston, MA. They named their sweet daughter Arnita Cimone. Arnita, the second child in the family, always looked up to her big sister Adell. Arnita was also a mother hen to her younger brothers Thelbert, Elbert and Rufus in the years that followed. Arnita fondly recounted babysitting them, walking them to school, defending them against bullies, making sure they were fed and ensuring that they felt loved.

As a child, Arnita was an exceptional mixture of unbridled intelligence in the classroom, a fierce defender of the underdog, complete with equal parts of shy demeanor, loyal friend, and a feisty self-confidence. She earned great grades at Paul A. Dever Elementary School and John W. McCormack Middle School.

Arnita was a part of the historic desegregation of Boston Public Schools. She traveled the two miles from her Columbia Point Community to South Boston High School as a ninth grader. When the racial turmoil proved too much, Arnita transferred to the Jeremiah Burke High School, and later found an academic home at English High School where she graduated as a bright student with a promising future.

Arnita wanted to be a teacher. She was accepted into Emmanuel College’s early childhood education program. On that campus, Arnita learned techniques that she carried in the classroom for four decades: celebrate the child no matter their circumstance and give them every opportunity to be their personal and academic best. Through the years, Arnita’s classrooms were known for being the most well-behaved, filled with very young children who were already learning to speak in multiple languages. Her students LOVED her. She was more than an educator, she would bring them clothes, holiday gifts and filled a need when a child was lacking. Her students’ parents adored her.

Arnita was multi-talented. In addition to teaching, she also earned a cosmetology license at Blaine Hair School. She was known as the neighborhood stylist for years. Arnita’s cooking was phenomenal. Beyond family gatherings, Arnita’s culinary skills were in such high demand, she began a small catering business with high profile clients like the Strand Theater and Emerson College’s Eboni Organization.

Arnita was so many things. A renaissance woman. A business woman. Stunningly beautiful inside and out. Her dance moves, cooking, laughter and vivid smile were legendary. Arnita shined the brightest as a friend, daughter, sister, wife, mother and grandmother. She had a special talent of making everyone she loved feel like they were the most important person in the world. She was a great listener and would take on everyone’s troubles as her own. She would give her loved ones her last dollar to ease their strife. She was always a phone call away.

Arnita doted on her mother and father, throwing them lavish parties to celebrate every milestone. The bond she felt with her brothers and sisters was unbreakable and beautiful to witness. They laughed together and leaned on each other.

Arnita took pride in raising her large family with her beloved husband Richard Davis in their sprawling house in Dorchester. She enjoyed being a team with Richard that put together joyous family functions, holiday celebrations and provided a warm place to protect against the worries of the world.

There was no better mother and grandmother than Arnita Davis. She treated each of her seven kids like they were the most precious gems on earth. She stood up for their rights in school. She attended every school performance or competition. She led remote learning. She cheered the loudest and brought the biggest crowd of family support at every graduation or ceremony. She was so proud of her children and grandchildren, that she called them daily, in some cases to remind them. She was in the delivery room assisting the doctors during the births of most of her grandchildren. Day or night, Arnita would drop anything to be by her child or grandchild’s side in a time of need. No matter how great the offense against her, Arnita always had a forgiving heart for her loved ones especially her children. She always said she was the happiest with her family.

Arnita is survived by her husband Richard Davis, her children Latoyia Edwards, son-in-law Jesse Edwards, Colisha Paul, Henry Foster, Arnita Hughes, son-in-law David Hughes, William DeJesus, Riva Davis, and Ari Davis; her grandchildren Tori Paul, Thebeau Paul, Nina Edwards, Eli Edwards, Nathaniel Foster, Necia Hughes, Bailee Hughes, Ava Hughes, Ivy Hughes, Milo Davis, DaKari Davis and Amelia Davis; her brothers Thelbert Lee Foster, Jr., Elbert Lee Foster, Rufus Thomas Foster, Guy Johnson and sisters the late Adell Vernet Foster and Charlene Hudson, plus nieces and nephews who she loved as her own children and a host of cousins and extended relatives. Arnita’s parents, the late Thelbert Foster Sr. and Vernell Foster-Jones have already gone on to glory.

Arnita now joins her loved ones to rest in eternal paradise. Her beautiful smile, joyous laugh, extremely kind and generous heart will live on as part of her legacy through everyone who was fortunate enough to be loved by her.

Visitation will be held at The Full Life Gospel Center, 183-189 Norfolk St., Dorchester, Saturday February 27 from 11:00 AM -12:30 PM. Relatives and friends invited.