of Batesville, AR

September 6, 1933 - January 19, 2025

Mary ''Jean'' Tipton Davis, 91, of Batesville passed away Sunday, January 19, 2025, surrounded by her family.

She was born September 6, 1933, in Conway, Arkansas, to Delton Ray Tipton and Claudia Bell Lancaster Tipton.

Jean was a child of the Great Depression and World War II. Like many from this generation, the challenges she endured forged the way she approached her life. She left home at 15 years old to support herself and finished her education at Joe T. Robinson High School in Little Rock.

It wasn't until her second marriage that she found a life partner with a similar drive, and together, she and Pat Davis raised their 4 children while setting upon a life of entrepreneurship. The early 60's saw both of them work at the Pentagon while selling real estate part time. After retiring from the Pentagon, they opened Jean Davis Real Estate in 4 locations around the Washington, DC area. They had upwards of 40 agents at their peak before selling the company to Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate.

In 1980, Jean and Pat returned home to Arkansas to start their rental real estate empire. While Pat worked at acquiring the properties, Jean was tasked with managing them and continued to do so for decades to come. This quickly became the profession most attributed to the ''Mama Jean'' most knew and loved. She handled properties with diligence and care but was also universally loved by many of her tenants. Throughout the years she formed close friendships with them, her contractors and local loan officers. At their peak, they were one of the largest owners of rental properties in Independence County.

Jean started a real estate legacy that has spanned 4 generations so far. She was instrumental in helping her late daughter, Sondra Rich, start Rich Realty and incorporated her grandchildren into the day to day activities of her company. If you've rented a property in Batesville within the past 40 years, there's a good chance Jean or one of her children or grandchildren has somehow been involved.

Lastly, Jean was an avid Arkansas Razorback fan and also loved going to Tunica.

Survivors include her son, Chuck Davis (Brenda Sue) of Woodbridge, Virginia; daughters, Cynthia ''Cindy'' Davenport (Caryn Creech) of Batesville and Debbie Dent of Luray, Virginia; six grandchildren, Missy Hamlet (Brandon), Chucky Davis,
Jeanne Markowski (Joey), Krystal Delfi (Jose), Patrick Davenport, and Brock Davis Newman (Emily); eight great-grandchildren, Naya Sherman, Grayson Mangus, Rayne Markowski, Avery Hamlet, Gabriel Mangus, Sophia Markowski, Rayden Markowski, Kaden Delfi, Jace Delfi and Cole Davenport; her caregiver, Tiffany Huffins; and several cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Doyle ''Pat'' Davis; daughter, Sondra Renee' Rich; and grandson, Gavin Quinn Mangus.

Pallbearers are Joey Markowski, Brock Davis Newman, Patrick Davenport, Sophia Markowski, Rayne Markowski, and Steve Liang. Honorary pallbearers will be Grayson Mangus, Gabriel Mangus, Cole Davenport, and Peter Gavin.

Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00pm Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at the funeral home.

Funeral services will begin at 2:00pm Thursday, January 23, 2025, at Roller-Crouch Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Alderbrook Cemetery in Desha, Arkansas.

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