Belinda “Jean” Stone Davis

Year Inducted: 2022

Belinda “Jean” Stone Davis was born in Wilkes County in 1951. Jean graduated from North Wilkes High School in 1969. Jean’s life has always been filled with lots of children as she grew up in a large family, in addition to her parents, James and Naomi Stone, the household included her 5 brothers and 1 sister. Jean and Andy have two children, Amanda Davis Gregory who is an ASU graduate and furthered her education with a Masters in Early Childhood Education. Amanda is married to Barrett Gregory and they have 3 children; Noah, a graduate of ASU with a degree in Chemistry, Carter, who is currently attending ASU as a Business Major, and Jenilee, who plans to attend ASU. Their son, Andrew “Scott” Davis, passed away in 2017. The importance of family and sibling connection was an essential part of their childhood.

Jean had always been influenced by those in the Christian faith, and she relied on this to help her after the passing of her mother, Naomi, when Jean was 21 years old. Jean didn’t realize how God would one day direct her path in a way she never imagined. She has always enjoyed hearing of missionaries who traveled the world to share the love of Christ with others.

Ken Pardue, a local pastor, approached Jean about being part of a group in the area who wanted to explore the prospect of opening a children’s home in Wilkes. She had no experience in this area but agreed to attend a meeting in January 1994 where she was deeply affected by the presentation. Jean knows that God gave her a mission field in her own back yard. The founding board of Ebenezer began with $5.00 on February 14, 1994, and included Jean Davis and 6 local business men. The board had a sound faith that God would lead the way to create this safe place for children in need, and God has grown the ministry tremendously.

Jean is a certified trainer for the TIPS MAPP foster curriculum, and has numerous other certifications. These certifications allow her to oversee seven homes, with approximately fifty staff members and fifty foster homes. Serving children in need has always been the goal; however, Jean had a desire to serve the community. When she was young, her family experienced a devastating house fire, where her parents and all seven children had only the clothes on their back. The experience deeply impacted Jean and her desire to provide support to all members of the community, and from the ashes of this experience arose Jean’s dream of Ebenezer’s Attic. There are currently three thrift stores that serve the Ebenezer children, DSS, United Way, Hope Ministries, His Light Ministries, Safe Haven, Samaritan’s Kitchen, Wilkes Crisis Pregnancy Center, Child Abuse Prevention Team, churches and schools.

Jean’s energy is commendable. Jean is a leader, a manager, a fundraiser, but above all she is a compassionate advocate for children. From the moment in 1994 when she first heard about the need for a safe place for displaced children to laugh, play, and dream she has worked tirelessly in the mission field at Ebenezer. She has served as Executive Director since 1994 with her husband, Andy, by her side managing Ebenezer’s Attic. As the organization continues to expand, Jean never tires of sharing the story of Ebenezer. She is modest about her accomplishments and is quick to give God the credit for having the plan and entrusting her to help carry it out. She also gives thanks for a wonderful, supportive, team of board members, employees and volunteers. Ebenezer Christian Children’s Home has served almost 1000 children thus far in the residential and family foster homes. The full impact of Jean’s commitment will never be measured or known. The true matriarch of the Ebenezer Family. Jean’s heart’s desire is at the end of life, the Lord will welcome her home, with the words “well done my good and faithful servant”.