Ann Smith Davis

Ann Davis, a 62 year resident of Columbia, SC, was born in Verona, New York, to Carrie and Stuart Smith on August 14, 1912. She married George T. Davis in 1936. She has three daughters Carolyn Owens (Larry) of Chapin, SC; Joan Mills (Aric) of Carmichael, CA; and Connie Derrick (George) of Columbia, SC. She was fondly known as MeMee by her four grandchildren: Dean Thompson, Dale Thomas, Travis Alley, Tracy Alley and her nine great-grandchildren.

Ann Davis was preceded in death by her husband, George T. Davis, who passed away in 1994; two sisters, Flora Babcock and Agnes Marquardt; and a brother, G. Allison Smith.

Ann was a woman of many talents and interests. One, she was an educator. After graduating with Teaching Honors in 1933 from Cortland Normal School, now known as State University of New York College at Cortland, she taught first through eighth grades in a one-room schoolhouse in Blackman’s Corner, New York. When the family moved to Columbia, SC, she attended the University of South Carolina and Columbia College to obtain South Carolina teaching certification. One of her favorite courses was an aviation course where she had the opportunity to travel to Cape Canaveral to learn about space aviation as well as fly over Columbia in a helicopter. She taught fifth grade at Joseph Keels Elementary School in Richland Two from 1960 – 1977.

Throughout her life, Ann was a very active church member. Growing up, she was a member of the Verona Seventh Day Baptist Church in Verona, New York. In Columbia, she was a member of Kilbourne Park Baptist Church and then, in 1964, became a charter member of Kathwood Baptist Church. At Kathwood, Ann served as a church deacon and taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. She was always a willing volunteer doing whatever needed to be done, whether it was visiting shut-ins or participating in programs at retirement and mental health centers. She lived by her favorite Bible verse: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

Ann and her husband, George, loved to travel. She rated the invention of the automobile as the most dramatic change in her lifetime. She and George also enjoyed camping. They were members of the Good Sam and Coachman Camping Clubs. When she retired from teaching in 1977, they spent a year towing their Coachman Camper, touring the western states. In her lifetime, she visited 49 of the 50 states. Until her passing, she was always “ready to go”.

She was known for having a “green” thumb, always being able to grow beautiful houseplants. She was well known for her ability to recite numerous poems, with her most recent public recitation of Whittier’s poem Barbara Fritchie when she was 101 years old. She enjoyed swimming in Lake Murray even at the age of 100. She was a very competitive game player, enjoying a variety of card games as well as board games, with Chinese Checkers, Carrom and Rummikub being her favorites.

When asked what words “summed” up her life, Ann listed the following: faithful, an educator, a wife and mother, one who loved her family, an eternal optimist, an historian, a lover of poetry and one who accepted all people.

Visitation will be from 6:00 pm to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 17, 2018, at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel. Funeral services will be held at Kathwood Baptist Church on Monday, June 18, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Beth McConnell and Rev. Phillip Reynolds officiating. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park, Columbia, SC.

Pallbearers will be Larry Owens, George Derrick, Dean Thompson, Scott Thomas, Travis Alley, Tracy Alley, Derek Thomas and Davis Thompson.

The family of Ann Davis expresses a special thanks to her caregivers. Special thanks are also extended to her church family and special friends for their friendship, frequent visits, prayers and support.

Memorials may be given to Kathwood Baptist Church, 4900 Trenholm Road, Columbia, SC 29206; Lutheran Hospice 102 Fortress Drive Chapin, SC 29036; or a charity of ones choice.

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.