Obituary of Edith Elizabeth Davis

Edith Elizabeth (Wills) Davis, 93, of Doniphan, Missouri, died peacefully at her home on Monday, June 1, 2020. Edith was born to Sylvester and Nell (O'Neill) Wills on October 10, 1926, in Ripley County, Missouri. She was married to Bill Davis on July 4, 1951 in Seattle, Washington; Bill preceded her in death on August 3, 2016. Edith was a 1944 graduate of Doniphan High School. She worked for many years as a beautician in Doniphan and Poplar Bluff, Missouri and later worked alongside her husband, Bill, at Davis True Value Hardware. She was a devoted, lifelong Catholic and a member of St. Benedict Catholic Church in Doniphan. Edith was a past member of PEO, Chapter FN, Jr. Fiction Club, Tuesday Reading Club and the PCCW at St. Benedict's. She also belonged to several bridge clubs throughout the years and cherished her friendships from all of those clubs. More than anything, Edith was Mom, Grandma and GranGran. She may have been petite, but that certainly didn't describe her kindness and love for family and friends. She was known for her kindhearted, sweet spirit, as well as amazing made-from-scratch lunches and dinners and melt-in-your-mouth sugar cookies that that were always at the top of everyone's favorite list. She was captivated by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She delighted in all that they did. She rarely missed an event involving her grandchildren as she attended every basketball game, near and far, for each of them. In her later years, she enjoyed watching her great grandchildren running and playing while she sat back and watched with a big smile and twinkling eyes. She will be deeply and forever missed by her loving family. Edith is survived by two children, Jeni and her husband Bill Wright and Phil and wife Carol Davis, both of Doniphan; grandchildren Amanda and husband Mike McAfee of Doniphan, Ashley and husband Marcus Baker of Glen Carbon, Illinois, Alicia and husband Kyle McGirl of Eldon, Missouri, Morgan and husband Justin Emfinger of Doniphan and Greg Davis of Poplar Bluff; great-grandchildren Aidan and Emery McAfee; Finley, Graham, Jonas, Beckett, Anderson and Crosby Baker; Jacksen and Sutton McGirl; and Colt Emfinger. She is also survived by her sister, Virginia Luzynski and her husband, Lou, of Mandeville, Louisiana. Edith was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; her parents Sylvester and Nell Wills; and her siblings, Garman Wills, Tommy Wills and Michael Wills. A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Benedict's Catholic Church in Doniphan on Friday, June 5, 2020 with a private burial following in the Oak Ridge-Doniphan City Cemetery. The family wishes there could be a more public celebration of Edith's wonderful life and greatly appreciates all thoughts, prayers and outreaches during this difficult time. Memorials may be made in Edith's name to St. Benedict's Catholic Church, 306 Kegler Street, Doniphan, Missouri 63935.