Cordelia Davault

Cordelia Davault passed away January 17, 2022, at her son’s home in St, James, Mo. She was 91 years of age. Cordelia (Hale) Davault was born on January 28, 1930, in St. Louis, Mo., to Zelma (Watkins) Hale and John Hale.

Cordelia lived about 8 years of her early life with her grandparents, George and Sarah Watkins on a farm near Salem, Mo, as did her sister Bonnie. She and Bonnie came to live with their mother Zelma Smith as she had married Everett (Smitty) Smith who accepted the girls as his very own and they always referred to him as Daddy.

Cordelia married Gene Davault on June 7, 1947, at the First Baptist Church in St. James. This love affair lasted nearly63 years as Gene went to live with his Lord on May 18, 2010.

She is survived by two sons Kevin and Eric Davault.

Upon graduation from high school and attending classes at the University of Missouri, Columbia, Cordelia worked for the Division of Social Services as a caseworker in Gasconade County; then quality control covering 14 counties, then a supervisor in the Dent County office, then chosen with 5 others to set up the Child Support Division in Rolla, Mo, where she was an investigator for 12 years. In this position, Cordelia collected the first $10,000 in child support for the State of Missouri. If the State Office had questions about certain investigations, Cordelia was called to take care of these situations, which she did on several occasions. Many of these were out of her district. When the Social Security Administration took over the state's old age assistance and Disability programs, Cordelia along with 5 others were pulled to cover a 10-county area, reading every file to determine if some of the clients were overpaid or underpaid by Social Security. At least a week would be spent in each county. After working 35 years for the State of Missouri, Cordelia retired. In a few months, she went to work for Jenny Wehmeyer in Real Estate as the receptionist for about 8 years. She then worked for 4 years for Kmart. Cordelia loved her employment and gave her very best.

On February 12, 1942, Cordelia gave her life to Jesus and stayed steadfast in her faith and belief in her master and Lord. She and Gene always worked in the church. She was a Sunday School teacher and training Union (which does not exist anymore), also a supervisor in these departments, plus being a choir member until her health prevented these activities but her love and faith never faded. According to Cordelia when life prevents normal activities there’s always some ministry one can do such as sending flowers to those who are ill, confines or loss of a loved one, and financial if needed. One can send cards, notes, or telephone calls if not able to do otherwise. Cordelia and Gene enjoyed Entertaining friends and family and for the past 15 years had a “cousin” reunion at their home with cousins coming from far and near, plus her sisters, Bonnie Collier and Peggy Schebaum. 

Visitation for Cordelia Davault will be held at 9:00 a.m. Friday, January 28th, 2022 at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James.

Funeral Services for Cordelia Davault will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 28th, 2022 at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, with Stephen Brubaker Officiating. Lisa Gan, Vocalist, will sing Beyond The Sunset and Amazing Grace. Pallbearers will be Kevin Davault, Eric Davault, Patrick Davault, Steve Jackson, Caleb Brubaker and Earl Pilger. Burial will be beside her husband at the St. James Cemetery. Memorial may be given to the First Baptist Church in St. James.

Online condolences may be entered at www.jonesfunerals.com

All arrangements are under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, MO.

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