Merry Patricia Davis

Merry was born on January 1, 1947, in Bakersfield, California to Arden Emil Hennig and Mary Jane (Hennegin) Hennig. She spent her cherished childhood years in Caliente, California, where her parents and grandparents owned and operated the general store in their small ranching and railroad community. Those golden years in Caliente, filled with the warmth of her extended family and the serene beauty of the land, shaped the woman she would become.

Merry attended Bakersfield High School and, later, Foothill High School, where she was a proud member of its first graduating class. She went on to earn her Associate’s degree from Bakersfield College. In 1967, she married the love of her life, Garry Davis. Soon after, Garry left to serve his country overseas in the Philippines, and her brother, Richard, left for Vietnam after having graduated from West Point. She was very proud of both of them, and even happier once they were home again. Merry began her professional career with the Kern County Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW), later renamed the Department of Human Services. In 1974, she and Garry welcomed their daughter, Stacy, and she made the selfless decision to step away from work to devote herself to raising her daughter and supporting her husband in his career with the Kern County Sheriff’s Department. Merry was an amazing mom and made sure that every holiday, every birthday, and every life event was celebrated and special, and that her family felt loved and secure. After those precious years at home, she returned to the workforce, dedicating many years to serving the children of Bakersfield with the Bakersfield City School District. She ended her career as an Assistant to the Program Directors in Special Education.

Merry’s greatest joy in her later years was being Grandma to her granddaughters, Riley and Sydney Douglas. She loved her girls very much and she would light up whenever they were near. She would often say how full her heart was with pride and happiness for them.

Animals also held a special place in Merry’s heart throughout her entire life, caring for them up until the very last of her days. She will be remembered for her kindness, compassion, empathy, and the love she had for her family.

Merry was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Garry Davis, and her parents, Arden and Mary Jane Hennig.

Merry is survived by her brother, Richard Hennig and his companion, Karen Saunders of Laramie, Wyoming; daughter, Stacy Douglas and husband Brian; granddaughters Riley and Sydney Douglas of Bakersfield, California; brother-in-law Jerry Davis and wife Roberta of Clovis, California, their children Allison Davis and Jason Davis, and dear friend Dena Luther.

The family wishes to give special thanks to Hoffman Hospice, Carly Snow and the care team at Home Instead (Delane, Jenny, Jane, and Lucy); Andrea Diaz, Dena Luther, Sandra Gonzalez Salcedo and family, Jerry Davis and family, and the Willis-Peet family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Cat People of Bakersfield.

"Unable are the loved to die, for love is immortality.”

Emily Dickinson