Ruth Simonson Davis

Ruth Etta Simonson Davis, 92, completed her earthly walk and received her eternal reward July 29, 2026, at Wellmore of Tega Cay, South Carolina, where she had been living and, true to form, still finding reasons to smile, dance, and enjoy a good chocolate milkshake.

Ruth was born on December 31, 1933, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, to Joseph Simonson and Kathryn Stark Simonson. She grew up in Scranton and graduated from Technical High School in 1951, where she made quite an impression as the drum majorette for the high school band during her senior year and earned the title of Miss Tympani. It was clear from the start that Ruth had a flair for life and a way of making everyone smile when walking into any room.

On June 6, 1953, she married Russell C. Davis, and together they built a life centered on family, faith, and love. Russell preceded her in death, but their partnership left a legacy that continues to grow through the family they raised together. If you asked Ruth about her greatest accomplishment, she wouldn't hesitate. It was raising her four children, attending their various and assorted extracurricular activities, insisting on educational excellence, encouraging a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, watching them become wonderful successful people, and then doing it all over again as a grandmother to twelve beautiful grandchildren and a great-grandmother to sixteen precious great-grandchildren. That was her pride, her joy, and her life's work. “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” 3 John 1:4.

Ruth and Russell loved to travel together both domestic and internationally, exploring new places and making memories along the way. After living in Cary from 1965 – 2019, in her later years at Wellmore of Tega Cay, Ruth could be found dancing with John Leon Lewis when he came to perform monthly, cheering on Duke basketball from her favorite spot in front of the television, or enjoying a chocolate milkshake at Chick-fil-A. She was a woman who found delight in simple pleasures and never lost her sense of fun.

Above all, Ruth was a woman of deep, unwavering faith. She was a true Proverbs 31 woman, loyal to her family, steadfast in her friendships, and uncompromising in her belief and trust in God. She served the Lord throughout her life with a joyful heart, singing in church choirs, teaching a ladies' Sunday School class, and faithfully keeping the baby nursery at church, where she was known for her favorite motto from 1 Corinthians 15:51: "We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed." She was a devoted member of Salem Baptist Church in Apex, North Carolina, and a proud member of the Gideons Auxiliary, supporting the mission of placing God's Word in the hands of people around the world. Ruth's life was a testimony to the Savior she loved and served, and her family takes comfort in knowing she is now in His presence, forever changed and forever home.

Ruth is survived by her son, Russell J. Davis and his wife Eileen (Charlotte); her daughter, Audrey Davis Scurfield and her husband Tom (Charlotte); her son, Jon M. Davis (Apex); and her daughter, Lori Davis Johnson and her husband Steve (Winston-Salem); along with twelve grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved husband, Russell C. Davis.

A family graveside service will be held at Salem Baptist Church on Saturday, August 22, 2026.

The family would like to thank the staff of Wellmore of Tega Cay along with the VIA Hospice Team for their loving care and support.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to The Gideons International at gideons.org or VIA Health Partners at donatehospice.org.