City lost a ‘loving mother’

A heinous crime turned even more tragic Saturday when Letitia Davis died. Wichitans’ thoughts and prayers go to her family and friends.

The 36-year-old mother of four was attacked, beaten, raped and set on fire while walking in the Fairmount Park about 11 p.m. on Nov. 14. She suffered lacerations and burns to 55 percent of her body.

The brutality of the crime shocked Wichitans and raised concerns about the safety of nearby Wichita State University. A suspect has been arrested and charged.

At a vigil Sunday evening, pastor Cynthia Wolford offered a prayer of comfort for the family but also a call for action for the community.

“We pray now that you will bring this community together, Lord, and that we will love our women and not harm them,” she said. “That we will respect our women and not rape them. That we will lift our women up to be the queens you have destined them to be.”

Davis had just started a new job and had recently become engaged to Marty Bell. She enjoyed walking, spending time with her kids and fishing with her fiance.

Bell’s daughter, Marcie Bell, described her as a “beautiful person” who loved her children and “was always happy and smiled no matter what.”

A fund has been established at Credit Union of America to help pay for Davis’ medical bills and to support her children. Please give. Donations should be cash or checks made out to “Loving Mother.”

Wichita is a lesser city because of Davis’ death.

For the editorial board, Phillip Brownlee

This story was originally published November 24, 2014 at 6:08 PM with the headline "City lost a ‘loving mother’."