Eileen Davis

Eileen Davis was born on February 11, 1922 in London, England to Stanley and Alice Heathman and passed away on January 19, 2016 in Visalia, CA. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Joe Davis; her son, Dennis; and her brother, Fred Heathman. Eileen is survived by her son, Stanley, as well as numerous nephews, nieces, and countless friends.

Eileen was nine months old when her parents and brother made the trip to move from England to Sultana, CA. They joined her father's uncle and farmed the 40 acres that he owned. During the depression, the family moved to Hollister, CA to work cutting apricots in the summer. Eileen’s father then obtained a job with a local farmer and the family stayed in Hollister until Eileen was in third grade. When her great uncle got sick, the family moved back to Sultana to continue farming.

Eileen graduated from Dinuba High School and then, San Jose State, with a teaching credential. After teaching for one year in the Bay area, she returned home and taught at Sultana Elementary School. She married the love of her life, Joe Davis, on September 20, 1944 and started a family in Dinuba. Her first son, Dennis, was born in 1946. After his birth, she returned to teaching in Orange Cove at Sheridan Elementary School. Her second son, Stanley, was born in 1957. She took three years off and went back to teaching third grade in 1960 at Sheridan Elementary School in Orange Cove until she retired in 1979.

After her retirement, she was a substitute teacher for the next thirteen years until the age of 70. Eileen also liked to collect antiques. In the early years of collecting, she would shop at second hand stores. Later, she started going to yard sales and swap meets. Joe & Eileen could be seen every Saturday and Sunday for many years at the Sunnyside swap meet and various yard sales. Eileen secured space at an antique shop in Kingsburg until the early 2000’s and would sell her wares there.

The family would like to thank all of the wonderful care givers that took care of Eileen during her later years, with some care givers having been with her for almost nine years. Visitation will be held from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Sunday, January 24th at the Dopkins Funeral Chapel. Graveside services will be held at Smith Mountain Cemetery on Monday, January 25th at 10 AM. Donations can be sent to the Friends of the Tulare County SPCA 5957 S Mooney Blvd., Tulare CA 93292 or the charity of your choice.