HAMPTON - Leilani Chisman Davis died at home on March 17, 2015, after a brief illness. A descendent of several of the oldest families on the Peninsula, she was born in San Francisco, CA to George B.G Chisman and his wife Nora Holme. She was a graduate of Kecoughtan High School and attended High Point College in North Carolina before embarking on a highly successful career in banking. Lani was also an alumna from the BMA school of Bank Marketing in Boulder, CO, and the Graduate School of Commercial Banking at the University of Virginia. During her seventeen years at Old Point National Bank, she rose to become Marketing Director and Senior Vice President before her retirement in 2010. In thanking her for her distinguished service, Old Point Financial Corporation President and Chairman Robert F. Shuford acknowledged that Lani was "instrumental in the development of the Visa Check Card, Telephone Banking, on-Line Banking" and other important innovations. She and her husband Charles (Chance) Davis, then opened the Old Hampton Ice Cream Parlor on Queen Street. Long active in community affairs, Lani was past president of the Hampton Rotary Club, a charter and former board member of the Downtown Hampton Exchange Club, and served on the board of Junior Achievement. She participated in the Downtown Hampton Development Partnership and the Peninsula Stadium Authority, was an appointee to the Hampton First committee, and enjoyed membership in the Hampton Yacht Club. She and Chance, her late husband of 25 years, were avid fans of the Peninsula Pilots Baseball team, opening their home to several players during each summer season. Lani was also preceded in death by her parents and is survived by her beloved sister Linda G. Chisman, a brother Glenn Chisman, niece Erin Chisman Torres, stepson Scott Davis (Brenda), three step grandchildren and scores of loving relatives and friends. A graveside service and burial will take place at 12:30 pm on March 21 at St. John's Episcopal Church in Hampton, the Rev. Samantha Vincent-Alexander officiating. After the service the family will receive guests at the home at 4503 Victoria Blvd. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Hampton History Museum. R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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Bonnie Bridger (Mittelmaier) (1969)
Lani, the sister of one of my most dearest friends, has left us and is now resting in the arms of heaven. I find that I can scarcely imagine this. She was a very unique lady, fun, witty, hospitable, a perfect match for her beloved Chance, her husband of 25 years. I have included this, my favorite picture of the spring flowers, Daffodils, because this is what I think of when I think of Lani. These bloom in a bright sunny spot, lovely and cheerful, so reminiscent of her. Rest In Peace and Perpetual Light Lani!