of Harrison, AR
May 26, 1922 - February 22, 2014
Averil Morrison Davis, 91, of Harrison, Arkansas died peacefully in her sleep at home on Feb. 22, 2014. She was born on May 26, 1922 in Angora, Arkansas to Hubert and Nettie Morrison, who preceded her in death.
Averil was a Harrison resident, for most of her life, and attended Harrison schools, where she was at the top of her graduating class in 1940. She was always able to maintain a wonderful curiosity for learning, even until the end of her life.
She married Charles Dalton Davis in 1941, and they enjoyed sixty wonderful years together, until his death in 2001.
Averil was a sincere Baptist and had been involved in almost every area of service, at First Baptist Church, including teaching Sunday School for over sixty years. She was one of the oldest living members and rarely missed a Sunday service or church event. She also made personal Bible study a daily priority.
Always involved in the community, she had been active in the Women's Civic Club, all of the P.T.A.s, and various other clubs and organizations. She was the only living charter member of the Town and Country Garden Club and still attended regularly. She volunteered at the Boone County Historical Museum and had a special interest and knowledge of the history of Harrison. She had also spent many years as a Medical Missions volunteer.
Averil played dominoes in a weekly dominos group. This was something that she looked forward to each week, as it gave her a "lot of laughs," and she grew very close to this group of women.
She was a kind, compassionate wife, mother, grandmother, volunteer, and friend, but she was famous for her angel food cakes, which were always in high demand!
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by one sister, Marilyn Breece and two brothers, James and David Morrison.
Survivors include three daughters, Charla Alexander (David) of Minneapolis, MN, Jodi Melhorn (Mel) of Harrison, and Ellen Lewis (Ron) of Springfield, MO, five granddaughters, Blake Huneau (Matt) of Martinsburg, WV, Lindsay Owen (Lee) of Mercersburg, PA, Emily Neller (Dan) of Pinehurst, NC, Meg Seymour (Thad) of Boston, MA, and Callie Jones of Springfield, MO. She had four great granddaughters, Olivia and Abigail Huneau, Langley Owen, and Maggie Neller, and one great grandson, Dalton Owen, along with several nieces and nephews, and many friends.
Services were held at First Baptist Church of Harrison Wednesday, February 26, 2014, with Rev. Robb Davis and Robert Shaddox speaking.
Burial was in Maplewood Cemetery.
Visitation was Tuesday, February 25, 2014, at Roller- Christeson Funeral Home.
Pallbearers were Phillip Smith, Jim Smith, Sam Smith, David Milligan, Mel Melhorn, Ron Lewis and David Alexander.
Honorary pallbearers were Averil's Sunday school class and the Domino Group.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the First Baptist Church of Harrison or to the Boone County Historical Museum.
Sign Guestbook
15 Condolence(s)
Gary Speer
Sunday, March 2, 2014
The Speer family expresses our condolences to Averil’s family. We have fond memories of visits with the Davis family when visiting our relatives in the Harrison area over many years.
Cheri Beaver Macumber
Saturday, March 1, 2014
A beautiful woman. Always so kind. She will be missed by many. Love ya Ellen.
Linda Blansit
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Charla, Jody & Ellen and families -- our thoughts and prayers are with you. Your mom was a fine woman in so many ways. It's comforting to know she is reunited with Charles Dalton
Take care. Linda, Charlene & Griffin Blansit
Carol Melhorn
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Jodi, have thought of you and Mel, your girls, and sisters and their families today. What a beautiful woman your mother was and it is truly an inspiration to read the tributes from others who have known her better than I. She has been the woman we should all strive to be. Know you will always treasure how she touched so many lives. Love and prayers.
Pastor Chuck & Joyce Anderson
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
As friends of Charla and David in Savage, Mn, we want to extend our sympathy to all of you on the loss of this lovely and special woman who has graced your life for so many years. What a marvelous and gracious woman and a model of faith and Christian living to all she touched throughout her full and rich life. May the joy of her love be held forever in your hearts as you say goodbye and commend her into God's eternal care.
Our love, prayers and are with you all in this time of loss.
Special friends,
Joyce and Chuck Anderson
Rebecca Yarbrough
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
I had the pleasure of visiting Averil on Tuesday 2-18. I had selected her name from the FBC Homebound Ministry list. She greeted me with the warm welcome of a close friend even though this was our first time to meet each other. She shared stories of her husband & daughters & her memories of Harrison past ... especially the flood! I will always remember her soft voice & sweet smile & her obvious faith & trust in her Lord. Sometimes it just takes a few minutes for someone to make a lasting impression on one's heart ... Averil did that on mine!
Cy Bowers
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Words will not be enough to say how you are loved Ms. Averil. Always warm, always loving, always encouraging and always kind. There will never be another one like you. I will miss you until we see each other again one day. Yours was a life well lived good and faithful servant.
Precious in the sight of the Lord
Is the death of His godly ones. Psalm 116:15
Storm Quattlebaum
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
A wonderfully classy person. Always a smile and a kind word. Truly will be missed.
Paula Crouch
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
She was a precious lady and will be missed by all who knew her.
Becky Largent
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
What a gracious, loving lady. I will miss her sweet smile and warm hugs every Sunday morning at church. Heaven is rejoicing.
wanda shields
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
she was my sunday school teacher when i was young.she was such a beautiful lady.I loved her very much.she will be missed.i will miss her smile and hug when i me her in town God bless her condolences to her family.
Judy and Pat Moore
Monday, February 24, 2014
She gave everyone smiles, joy and the presence of grace. All of which will be missed in
so many ways. I am so grateful to have known her and been a part of her family.
Cousins Judy and Pat Moore
Janet Dodson Younes
Monday, February 24, 2014
Averil was the most gracious lady I have ever known. I spent so many nights in her home with Charla and the little sisters. She was always so kind to a bunch of loud girls having fun. I will always remember Averil as a wonder mother figure for all of us. She will be miss by all who knew her. Please know you all will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Jan Younes
Beverly Pierce
Monday, February 24, 2014
Oh my, heaven just became even sweeter! What a wonderful legacy she left behind, a true Proverbs woman, who touched all our lives with beauty and grace. Will keep all of you close in our hearts as you move forward without her presence.
Fondly, Ronald and Beverly Pierce
Julie Younes
Monday, February 24, 2014
I have enjoyed Averil thru many years. I will miss her sweet smile and always friendly greeting.