Alice Janet Pursley Davis

Alice Janet Pursley Davis--beloved daughter, sister, friend, and educator--passed away in Longview, Texas Saturday, June 2, 2018 at the age of 75. Janet was born November 8, 1942 in Tyler, Texas to Wilbert Lee and Mary Naoma Pursley. She was preceded in death by her parents and nephew Michael R. Climer.

Janet is survived by her twin sister Janice Pursley Miller, brother Lee Wain Pursley and wife Linda, nephew Stephen Pursley and his wife Severine and two great-nieces Audrey and Emma Pursley of Fort Collins, CO., nephew Eric Climer and many cousins.

Alice Janet Pursley Davis grew up in Odessa, Texas. Her family moved to Longview in 1959. She graduated from Pine Tree High School in 1961 where she was Miss Flame, Head Cheerleader, recipient of the Danforth Award and later recipient of Pine Tree's Most Distinguished Alumni Award.

Janet received a BS degree from the University of Texas at Austin, a Liberal Arts degree from SMU in Dallas, and did post-graduate work at TWU in Denton. Teaching and her students were her passion in her 39-year career in Gladewater ISD, Sabine ISD, Dallas ISD, and Lewisville ISD.

Traveling, genealogy, and history were her hobbies. She traveled the world and belonged to the following genealogy organizations: United Daughters of the Confederacy, Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Daughters of the American Revolution, War of 1812, The National Society of Magna Charta Dames, Continental Society Daughters of Indian Wars, Order of Washington, The National Society Daughters of the American Colonists, Plantagenet Society, The National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century, National Society of the United States Daughters of Eighteen Hundred Twelve, The Sovereign Colonial Society Americans of Royal Descent, Colonial Order of the Crown lineal descent from the Emperor Charlemagne, and the Society of Descendants of Knights of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. With her love for history, she researched and wrote The History of Highland Village, The History of the Clarksville City Baptist Church, The History of the Pine Tree Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the Gladewater Museum Local History Coloring and Activity Book. She did testing for NAEP, was a volunteer at the Gladewater Museum, and was recipient of the Red Rock Historical Association ELITE Pathfinder Award.

A dedicated and caring teacher, she was honored with the following awards: Texas Outstanding Elementary Social Studies Teacher of the Year, Lewisville ISD Campus Teacher of the Year (4 Times), Les Evans Excellence in Teaching Award, The National Congress of Parents and Teachers Life Achievement Award, Texas Medical Award for Excellence in Science Teaching, Leon Jaworski Award for Teaching Excellence in Law Focused Education, Teacher of the Year Finalist, Heritage Elementary Teacher of the Year (Twice), Degan Elementary Teacher of the Year (Twice) Lewisville ISD, and the Texas Congress of Parents and Teachers Honorary Life Membership.

Janet served as chairman of the children's committee for the Kids Kastle Playground in Highland Village. She was a member of the Clarksville City Baptist Church, ABWA, Pilot Club International, Longview Retired Teachers, Past President of Alpha Delta Kappa Honorary Sorority, and co-chairman of the Gregg County Historical Commission.

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff of Longview Regional Medical Center, Dr. Ryan Peavy, Dr. Lijo John, Elite Home Health, and Heart-to-Heart Hospice who provided skilled care, guidance, direction, support and comfort in her last days.

Janet leaves behind a legacy of kindness, selfless devotion to others, charity, and faith that will long be treasured by those whose lives she touched as well as her devoted family who will miss her greatly.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Janet Pursley Davis may be made to the Clarksville City Baptist Church, P.O. Box 568, White Oak, TX 75693; the Gladewater Museum, P.O. Box 85, Gladewater, TX 75647; the Lewisville Education Foundation Janet Pursley Davis Scholarship, 400 West Main Street, Lewisville, TX 75057, or a charity of your choice. Janet requested that friends and family take a moment to remember time spent together. There will be no visitation or funeral/graveside services. She will be buried at Lakeview Memorial Gardens, Longview, Texas.