<< Return to Foundation Focus Page A Chance Occurrence, An Inspirational Message Annie and Wyart Green A fluke. A chance occurrence. Choose any description you prefer, but one day in 1966 out-of-town visitor Wyart Green heard the kind voice of WMUS radio personality "Mother Davis" on a taxicab radio and a bond was formed which these many years later is still helping promote Davis' inspirational mission. Mattie Wesley Davis died Oct. 18, 2003, at the age of 94 after hosting the "Heavenly Echoes" radio gospel show for 52 years. She was well-known for her motto" "Get up, get dressed, and make your way to the house of the Lord." "Mother Mattie Wesley Davis gave of herself unselfishly throughout her entire lifetime," notes Green. "Her influence was far-reaching. She touched many lives." Green's fateful taxicab ride happened by pure accident. Arriving in Muskegon by bus from Mississippi, he had intended to be dropped off at his sister's home. "From the bus station I took a cab and instructed the driver to take me to my sister's home. Upon arrival she was not at home, but at church. So the cab driver told me to stay in the cab and ride with him," Green says. "So we rode around listening to the radio, taking people to their churches throughout the community. It was during that ride that I heard Mother Davis for the first time." Over the years, Davis proved so inspirational to Wyart Green and his wife Annie, now residents of North Muskegon, that they lovingly established the Mother Mattie Wesley Davis Scholarship Fund at the Community Foundation to provide college scholarships to underprivileged students. When the Fund matures, scholarships will eventually be awarded to minority students, residents of central-city Muskegon, graduates of any Muskegon County high school who have financial need. Students may pursue any field of study and may attend a two or four year accredited college, university or vocational-technical school. The Scholarship may be used for tuition, fees, books supplies and other expenses. "It will be wonderful to leave a lasting legacy of Mother Davis's devotion and untiring work," states Wyart Green. << Return to Foundation Focus Page