Lillian May Davis

Lillian May (Munro) Davis, 91, of Overland Park, KS died peacefully Feb. 25 after a three-week hospitalization. Her daughters were at her side. Born at home, June 10, 1925, in Kansas City, Mo., to James Z. & Lillian M.(Hines) Munro, she graduated from Oak Grove High School in 1942, briefly attended San Diego State College, then returned to Kansas City to work in the secretarial pool at Business Men's Assurance, later advancing to the executive floor to support Vice President Ramsey. Music & dancing filled Lillian's early life at World War II USO dances, and BMA parties & choral groups.

She met Clifford O. Davis in 1948, and they danced their way through a four-year courtship that frequently found them at The Pla-Mor Ballroom, on area square dance floors, & with the Spinbak Group of Westport Presbyterian Church. They also sang together in Westport's choir. They married in 1951. In 1961, Lillian left BMA to start her family, and then joined Menorah Medical Center in 1971, first in the nursing office, and then as executive secretary to the president. She retired in 1989, but continued working in telemarketing for another 10 years.

Her smile, warmth, and laughing eyes effortlessly drew people to her, while her fierce internal strength, curiosity, and attention to detail were evident in every aspect of her life. A consummate storyteller with a sassy sense of humor, Lillian deeply loved Kansas City, her family, laughing, song birds, heavy rain storms and snowfalls, music, fine china & crystal, politics, and her beloved daily newspaper. Despite an early widowhood and a mid-life multiple sclerosis diagnosis, her indomitable spirit powered forward with humor and gratitude until her last day. Descended from the original Jamestown settlers and Scottish stone cutters, she simply said she was determined.

Lillian was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Clifford O. Davis; her brother, James Z. Munro; and her granddaughter, Sabrina May Bittman. She leaves behind two daughters, Lillian M. Davis Bittman (Thomas J.) of Sandy Hook, CT, and Maria M. Meyerhoff (Kevin L.) of Olathe, KS, six grandchildren, Laura E. Bittman of Los Angeles, CA, Daniel C. Bittman of San Francisco, CA, John W. Bittman of Sandy Hook, CT, Alex L. Meyerhoff of Olathe, KS, Jacob B. Meyerhoff of Olathe, KS, and Ava M. Meyerhoff of Olathe, KS. Lillian also leaves behind many beloved nieces and nephews, their families, & lifelong friends.

Visitation will be at 1 p.m., Thursday, Mar. 2 at McGilley Memorial Chapel, 12301 State Line Rd. Funeral services will follow immediately at 2 p.m., followed by graveside services at Floral Hills Cemetery, 7000 Blue Ridge Blvd.

The family would like to thank the ICU and Radiology staff of St. Luke’s South Hospital for their professionalism, care, compassion, & profound kindness.