Hannah Davis

Hannah (Beck) Davis lived a long, full life, rich in memorable experiences.

Borne in Wayne, Oklahoma, the eighth and last child of William E. and Mary Catherine (Muse) Beck, she learned early on to be highly competitive and to strive for excellence. After graduating Valedictorian of her Senior Class in Wayne, OK, She moved to Oklahoma City where she attended Draughon’s School of Business and was then employed by Southwestern Bell Telephone CO. No small feat in 1936 when the whole country still suffered from the Great Depression.

In 1938, she met and married Oliver W. Davis, a recent engineering graduate of Oklahoma A & M— a marriage that lasted 72 years.

Their early years were full of tumultuous change. Pre-World War II but with war clouds hovering, Oliver’s employment transferred them to New Jersey! Quite a shock from the rural Oklahoma where both had been born and raised.

For the next 33 Years they lived in the Northeast, far away from both of their families. They adapted, worked hard, made lifelong friends, and adopted two children: a son, Robert Wendell and a daughter Sue Karen. Hannah kept a lovely home; she was an accomplished seamstress and a great cook; she raised her children, was active at church, helped neighbors and friends, worked for a large school district and hosted the many family members and friends who came to visit.

Upon retirement they returned to Oklahoma! Establishing their home near family in Weatherford, OK, their lives became full and happy with relatives, new friends, church involvement, community activities, and travel. Hannah continued doing things she’d always done. She was the happiest when doing something for others. A stronger work ethic was not known. To her sewing skills she added crocheting—she stopped counting at 100 afghans! She was a life-long Democrat and happy to tell anyone who would listen. She kept abreast of local, state and national issues and never, ever missed voting. She was an avid reader and got a Kindle when she was 92.

After 19 years of retirement in Oklahoma, they returned to the Northeast to be near their children in their older years. Sadly after only a few years their daughter, Sue Karen Lawson, lost her battle with cancer. Very unexpectedly their son, Robert Wendell Davis, passed away just 4 years later.

These life changes and circumstances would have overwhelmed most but Hannah and Oliver had each other plus the spirit and fortitude with which they had both been raised. In 2010, following the death of their son, Hannah and Oliver came to live near relatives in Grand Junction, CO. No strangers to Colorado, they had enjoyed a vacation home in Silverton, CO for many years. After only a few months in Grand Junction, Oliver passed away at the age of 98. Hannah weathered the loss as she had so many others—with strength, dignity, and an indomitable spirit.

Hannah passed away on August 19, 2018. She was 100 years old.

How we will miss all the stories she could tell!! About learning to drive on dirt roads in Oklahoma, the first radio and telephone in her parents’ home, the food rationing, black outs and air raid drills during WWII and the adventures of visiting 12 countries during retirement.

Hannah was preceded in death by her parents, seven brothers and sisters, her two children, and her husband. She leaves behind many extended family members and too many friends to count. She loved her church family at the Patterson Road Church of Christ where she was the oldest member. She lived her final years at the Commons of Hilltop which she enjoyed very much, in her final months she received loving, attentive care from HopeWest, which was a great blessing for her family.

According to her wishes there is to be no formal services. At a later time, her cremains and those of her husband will be interred in a family plot in Hillside Cemetery, Purcell, Oklahoma. Any memorials should be directed to HopeWest of Colorado, 2754 Compass Drive, Grand Junction, CO 81506