Betty Travis Davidson

Betty Travis Davidson, age 92, of Vestavia Hills, AL passed away on September 29, 2016. She was preceded in death in 2012 by her beloved husband of 66 years, Dr. Roy G. Davidson, Jr. She is survived by her children: Denise Willett (Ken), Dr. Jennifer Davis (Jim), Freddy Davidson and Cecilia Davidson-Farkas (David); grandchildren: Dr. Melissa Nix (Chris), Melanie Seibold, Beth Davis (Eike Bierwirth), Katie Davis, Allison Davidson, Jake Davidson, Priscilla Davidson and Isabella Farkas; great-grandchildren: Frank Nix and Claire Bierwirth. She is also survived by her brother, Robert (Bob) F. Travis, Jr. (Martha).

Betty was born in Parrish, AL and graduated from Bessemer High School. Betty rode the streetcar from Bessemer to visit her great aunt and uncle in Eastlake and met their neighbor, Roy, just before the start of WWII. They exchanged letters during the war and upon Roy’s return, after the war ended, the two were married on July 26, 1945. After her four children were born, she went back to school and attended Samford University for two and a half years and was named to the Dean’s List.

Betty supported Roy in all aspects of his dental career and was past president of both the local and state Dental Auxiliaries. She was a member of Les Jeune Meres, Antiquarian Society, Les Soirees, Vestavia Hills Garden Club, the Vestavia Hills Beautification Board, Gentilly Forest Sewing Circle, St. Mark Lunch Bunch and the Friends Group. Betty was nominated for Citizen of the Year in Vestavia and helped organize the Vestavia Belles. Betty was active in managing the children’s Sunday school at St Mark Methodist during the 1960s. She later became an active member of Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church and Trinity Sunday School Class.

Betty, affectionately called “Baby” by her family, was a devoted wife, sister, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was a gracious hostess to everyone and loved cooking her family’s favorite meals so everyone could gather to celebrate holidays and birthdays. She was famous for her caramel cakes and many breakfast specialties. Betty was the true definition of elegance and a Southern lady. Betty and Roy enjoyed taking their children and grandchildren on educational and historical vacations around the United States, many of which were in their motor home. They enjoyed traveling the world together.

The family would like to give special thanks to Irene Ramsey, Reba Shaneyfelt, Maliria Robinson, Lommie Zene and Pam Marshall for their help and caring for Betty like their own family over the last four years and the staff at Galleria Woods Skilled Nursing Facility and Compassus Hospice and Palliative Care. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 on Sunday, October 2, 2016 at Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends starting at 1:00, also at the church. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be sent to The Big Oak Ranch, PO Box 507, Springville, AL 35146.