Norma Margaret Davis Fahs

Norma Margaret (Davis) Fahs, 92, wife of the late Robert L."Bob" Fahs, passed away peacefully on February 16 in hospice care. Born in Jacksonville, Florida on July 14, 1922 to Basil Carlton Davis and Birdie Ella Davis, she spent most of her childhood in and around Baxley, Georgia near her beloved aunts, uncles, and grandparents. Like many of her peers, Norma spent much of World War II at the J.A. Jones Shipyard in Brunswick, where she worked as a welder on Liberty Ships.

During that time she met Bob, who upon first seeing her walk into a Village sweet shop, nudged his friend and said, “I’m going to marry that girl!” That they did, on June 5, 1944. It was a union that would endure for over 57 years, until Bob died in 2001.

Norma and Bob lived in Honolulu after WWII, and later in several locations in the Northeast and Midwest. In 1961, she was named “Woman of the Year” in Windsor Locks, Connecticut. Upon returning to St. Simons in 1971, Norma opened “Fancy That!”, an art and curiosity shop in the Village. After a move to Indiana in the early 1970's, Bob and Norma retired to their favorite Island in 1987. Norma brought with her an expertise in antiques, most notably dolls, and their preservation and restoration. She was an enthusiastic member of the Golden Isles Doll Collectors, and regularly attended the UFDC conventions around the country.

Norma was a prolific correspondent, and had a dozen or more pen pals around the country. Her children enjoyed receiving regular letters from her, hand written in her beautiful script. She was a Charter Member of Lord of Life Lutheran Church, and she worked diligently early on to ensure its success, although she may be better remembered for her baking skills than for all of that hard work.

Her lifelong love of reading made her a fixture at the local library, where she participated in writing workshops. She was an accomplished storyteller.

Norma and Bob had four children, all surviving: Robin Lee Chambers, of Wilmington, Delaware; Robert L. Fahs II and wife Celia, of St. Simons Island; Nevin Gregory Fahs and his wife Judy Jackson, of Woodbury, New Jersey, and Lon Alan Fahs and his wife Nancy, of Middleburg, Florida. Among them they have blessed Norma with 10 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

Norma was predeceased by her sisters Marian and Jacqueline. She is survived by her sister, Betty Mackoul, of Jacksonville, Florida; and by brothers Bill Davis and his wife Juanita, also of Jacksonville; and Roger K. Davis and his wife Pat, of Charleston, South Carolina. Norma truly loved the company of all of her nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at Lord of Life Lutheran Church on St. Simons Island, at 11 a.m. Thursday, February 19, with interment to follow at Oglethorpe Cemetery. The family will receive visitors one hour prior to the service in the Social Hall.

Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements. www.edomillerandsons.com