COLUMBIA - Alix Davis Hay, 73, passed away Tuesday, May 22, 2018. A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 26, 2018 at Shandon United Methodist Church with a reception to follow. Ashes will be interred at a later date in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Florence. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family.
Born July 27, 1944, in Charleston, the daughter of the late Cara Bell Chitty and William Woodrow Davis, Alix was reared throughout the United States. She attended the University of South Carolina in Columbia and later transferred to the University of California, Berkeley, where she graduated with a degree in History in 1966.
She returned to Columbia and graduated from USC with an M.Ed. in 1968. Recruited by the Disability Determination Division of the S.C. Vocational Rehabilitation Department, she quickly established herself as a decisive and extremely effective decision maker. Following the birth of her children, she relocated to California in 1973 and joined the staff of the Social Security Regional Office in San Francisco. Her work for the federal government further established her credentials in this complex field, and in 1975 she was re-recruited by the Disability Determination Division, returning to Columbia where she remained.
During her career, Alix rose to the level of Operations Manager, was recognized for outstanding performance, and was singled out as Professional of the Year at both the Regional and the National levels by the Social Security Administration. She retired in 2001, having served South Carolinians and individuals with disabilities from across the nation for more than 30 years.
Mrs. Hay threw herself energetically into many interests. She was a lover of history, constantly reading books, traveling throughout Europe, and avidly researching her family’s genealogy. She maintained a lovely garden and was active in the Candytuft Garden Club. She admired and collected Chinese and Japanese art and furniture. She enjoyed bird watching, playing the piano, needlework, and playing cards, with a special love for bridge passed down from her mother.
She and her family joined Shandon U.M.C. in 1988, where she served as a member of the choir and led classes that inspired many to greater faith and study of the Bible. She supported musical arts in Columbia and served on the board of the Columbia Baroque. But her greatest gift was the way she served her family as a devoted daughter, wife, and mother. She will always be remembered for her strength, her intellect, and the way she inspired and empowered everyone whose life she touched.
Mrs. Hay was preceded in death by her beloved husband, William Douglas “Bill” Hay (2009) and brother, David Christopher Davis. She is survived by her son, William Rhett Davis (Christina Gibson) and grandsons, Zachary and Benjamin of Durham, N.C.; her son, Richard Christopher Davis (Sally Ho) and grandson, Dominic of Singapore; her step-daughter, Caroline Hay Cataldi (Luis) and grand-daughters, Alexandra and Mila of Raleigh, N.C.; her first spouse and father of her sons, Frank Burts Davis; and her brother, Richard Chitty Davis (Cathy) of Hopkins, MN.
The family would like to extend its sincerest thanks to all of the loving friends who gave tirelessly of their time and support during this last year. In particular, they would like to acknowledge Anne Cox and Mary Hellams.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Shandon U.M.C., 3407 Devine St., Columbia, SC 29205, or Columbia Baroque, P.O. Box 6972, Columbia, SC 29260.
Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.
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