North Carolina Retired Educator Opts Out of Retirement to Build Community Church

Jan. 19, 2011 - PRLog -- In late 2006 Leila Davis retired from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system after dedicating over 30 years teaching middle school students. With all the hard work and dedication she put into her career many would think she would be thrilled about retiring – maybe plan a long Florida vacation, catch up on some much needed rest and begin living out her “Golden Years”.  By all accounts, she is doing those things – it just looks and feels a lot different from what you might expect from a retiree. At age 66, Davis is Founding Pastor of what will become St. Paul Holiness Church in Lawndale, NC, considered a rural area of West Shelby, North Carolina also known as Upper Cleveland County.

Although retired four years ago, Davis has been slowly but surely building the church since  1999. “I took over the debt and used my personal funds to get it this far, but now I need the community’s help,” Davis says.  Observing how Lawndale was emerging and becoming home to many young families without the benefits of big city living such as self-improvement events and activities, career building seminars, health education and advocacy, Davis knows she’s on the right path. “I’ve carried this vision for a while and I’m ready to see the church standing firmly to help my neighbors in their successes,” she shares.

Lawndale was once an old Milltown, Davis, who was born and raised in Kings Mountain, watched the transformation and compared its growth to that of the cities she travels to; she also lived in nearby Charlotte for many years. “Coming to Lawndale every Sunday, I realized the same needs city residents had, were becoming evident in Lawndale too,” she reflects.  “I’ve always had a love for the people of Lawndale. I’m excited about its growth, but with growth, there is more need.”

According to the most recent data available, Lawndale has a population of 8,275 as of the year 2000, with a median resident age of 37.4 years and average household size of 2.6 people, a point above North Carolina’s average of 2.5 people per household. With the 2010 census reporting, the increase will be unmistakable.  Davis says, “Lawndale is a growing diverse community.  Much bigger than when I was younger. I’m excited seeing all the changes taking place and I’m committed to helping bring out the best this community has to offer.”

Some may think Davis is getting a late start in seeing her vision come to fruition, however, in recent years, the number of seniors starting their own businesses during what is normally considered "retirement years" has increased. Nonprofit AARP Public Policy Institute reports, in 2008, 21% of the self-employed were between 55 and 64, while 10% were 65 and older. At 66, Davis is paying homage to that trend, but it seems to be hereditary. Davis’ mother started her own business six years ago baking cakes and pies and putting on fundraisers for St. Paul Holiness Church, the church Davis is building, when she was 84 years old and now at 90, the elder Davis made recent news selling her delicious baked goods for philanthropic causes. Her main cause of course, is to live to see her daughter’s dream of having the church fully completed and meeting the needs of the community.  Davis shares, “My purpose is to help people; I know that’s what I was put on this earth to do.  We have so many young families and older citizens in need of career services, seniors that need education about health and advice about how to live healthy lives. That’s what this church will do.”

On her way to embark upon a mission trip to the Caribbean Islands, Leila Davis shares a smile. “I’m headed to St. Thomas to help communities there, but I am certainly excited about helping my community here,” she continues. “I really need the support of the business community to join me in my quest. Only $50,000 to get it done and I’m confident the community will support me.”

To learn more about how to support Leila Davis and her quest to raise funds for St. Paul Holiness Church in Lawndale, N.C., please contact her at 704-391-7325 or email at davislei[at]@bellsouth.dotnet. The next big fundraiser is scheduled for mid-April.

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