Lynn Johnston Davidson

Lynn Johnston Davidson born Feb 9, 1930, departed this life on January 17, 2019, surrounded by her beloved “baby” brother Lloyd and her loving nieces and nephew. Her faith, family, friends and her church were always of upmost importance to Lynn who was a beautiful lady, both inside and out. A lifelong Knoxvillian, Lynn was a kind, brave and always cheerful soul who inspired others by the forgiving, gracious manner with which she approached life. Her acceptance and successful management of her lifelong mental illness was an inspiration to all her knew her.

For many years along with her brother Bud (Ralph A. Davidson Jr.) and sister-in-law Jean Davidson and longtime friend Holly Watts, Lynn helped with the First Presbyterian Church Jesus Friends Class, a class for mentally challenged adults from all over Knoxville. Each Sunday her class arrived by vans and on foot and they all enjoyed a morning of song, activities, snacks, fellowship and experiencing the love for each of God’s children. Lynn loved the class and the class loved her, often bringing her sweet gifts they had made or found. This very special class thankfully continues today under the leadership of the younger generation.

Lynn was passionate about her art and over her lifetime painted over 450 canvases, many of which her friends and family still enjoy. Her kind art teacher Karen Talbert Di Biase continued to paint with and help Lynn as dementia took hold of Lynn’s world. Lynn’s artistic sense of style extended to her fashion which was unique, colorful and fun. Her white go-go boots will be buried with her!

Lynn was preceded in death by her mother and father, Lynn Johnston Davidson, Ralph Andrew Davidson Sr. and brother Ralph A. Davidson Jr. and sister in law Jean Dunlap Davidson and best friend Nell Bean. She is survived by her older sister Betty D. Frierson, brother Lloyd Davidson from Honduras, nieces and nephew Anne Davidson and Jean Davidson, Andy (Ralph A. Davidson III) Davidson (Ann) and Lynn Frierson Faust (Edgar) and a host of grand and great grand nieces and nephews.

The family’s deepest gratitude goes to the caring and dedicated staff of Elmcroft Senior Living, Arbor Terrace Memory Care, Westmoreland Health and Rehabilitation and UT Hospice and Dr. Ken Jobson for their loving and excellent care over the years.

Graveside services will be held Monday January 21, 2019 at Berry Highland Memorial Cemetery at 3:00 p.m. Officiating will be Lynn’s pastor Rev. William Pender and her niece Rev. Jean Davidson.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorial contributions to “The Jesus Friends Sunday school class” at First Presbyterian Church. For a brief history of this very special class, see:

http://www.fpcknox.org/community/classes/adult/jesus-friends/

First Presbyterian Church

Att. Jesus Friends,

620 State Street,

Knoxville, TN 37902