Ruth Davis

Ruth “Maxwell” Davis was born September 29, 1924 and passed away, wrapped in our Heavenly Father’s arms, on July 5, 2022. She married Cedric “Lyle” Davis on that same day back in 1946. She was determined to stay with us until their anniversary 76 years later.

Ruth grew up in Quincy Illinois with her 4 sisters and 2 brothers. She and three sisters went to Washington D.C. during World War II to work in the secretarial pool supporting the war effort.

She spent 28 years as a Winter Texan. She loved spending time at Trophy Gardens near Alamo, Texas. There she was loved by everyone whose life she touched. In Texas she crafted Stained Glass and beautiful Woodcarving. She was also the women’s champ in bean bag throwing. Everyone wanted her on their team. She loved poetry and wrote poems to her children, grandchildren, siblings and friends. She also loved music and dancing, whether it was Ballroom, Square Dance or Line Dance. She taught Line Dancing for many decades well into in her 90’s.

As a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sibling, aunt and friend, she was an ever present participant in each of their lives. Her arms were always open wide and ready for a hug… and you better give her one back or she’d call you out on it.

Family was of utmost importance to her. She showed all of us how to age with creativity, fitness and spunk. She was determined to do whatever it took to get any job done. There wasn’t anything she wouldn’t try to accomplish. In the last couple years she managed to beat Covid TWICE and dealt with the effects of a stroke affecting her right side. In her last weeks, no amount of willpower could change her decline, yet she refused to give in to it until her last breath.

She had a very strong Christian Faith living her life according to Christian Principles. She was proud of all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren

She is preceded in death by her husband Cedric “Lyle”, her daughter Rogina Cusic, 4 sisters, 1 brother and very close friend Jim Berends.

Surviving are her brother, John Maxwell of Quincy, IL, son, Maxwell (Terry Soave) Davis of Ann Arbor, MI; daughter, Janet (Scott) Parker of Belleville, IL; daughter, Kathryn Davis of Denver, CO; grandchildren, Whitney (Stephen) Profumo, Rebekah (Keith) Kinzel, Kristin (Jeffrey) Haas, Carson (Whitney) Parker, Ryan (Christina) Cusic, Jenna (Marv Berg) Cusic, Trevor Loew, Samantha Loew, Jack Loew; and great-grandchildren, Matthew and Emma Drury, Livia and Britlyn Kinzel, Ian Cappello, Savannah and Izzy Haas, Frederick Parker, and Jasmine and Levi Cusic and her dear friend Rick Dillon.

A service will be at St John’s United Church of Christ, 303 S. Smith Street, Smithton, Illinois 62285 at 11:00AM Saturday August 13.

Luncheon to follow at Smithton Senior Center, 711 South Main, Smithton, IL 62285

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Hospice of Southern Illinois, 305 S Illinois Street, Belleville, IL 62220

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.LakeViewFuneralHm.com for the Davis family.