Leona Marie Douthit

Leona Marie Douthit joined our Lord on Thursday, May 12, 2016. Leona was surrounded by her sons, their families, and her brother and his family. Leona was born on February 3, 1938, to Vi (Carboni) Davis, and Floyd R. Davis in Sacramento, CA. Leona was raised in a small two bedroom house on Clay Street that her father built, with her sister and three brothers.

Leona attended Grant Union High School, and attended a church right across the street from her home. Leona was very active in Sunday school, eventually marrying the son of her Sunday School teacher. Leona graduated in 1956, and married her husband of 50 years, Earl "Ed" Douthit, who passed away in 2007.

After high school, she joined her husband in San Diego, CA, until his service with the United States Navy ended. Leona and Ed moved back to Sacramento, and she became a Key Punch operator for the Department of Motor Vehicles. Leona helped create the "Yogi Bear Club" in Sacramento and this was the first of many organizations in which she would participate. Women's Auxiliary of North Highlands Little League; Kohler School PTA; Den Mother for Cub Scouts; Junior and Teen Club leader for Modern Woodmen of America (MWA) were among those organizations. Leona and Ed traveled all over the world with MWA as they were a great team and won many trips to conventions.

In 1980, Leona and Ed moved to Fresno, CA to begin a new agency for Central California. Leona was Camp Secretary for this Family Fraternal, and opened junior clubs throughout the valley, as well as the Office Manager. Leona belonged to Fresno Newcomers Auxiliary and was a member for more than 30 years which is where she enjoyed playing Bunco, Mah Jong, Trivial Pursuit, attending luncheons, and was the Sunshine Chairperson. Leona was a member the San Joaquin Fitness Gym and was very faithful about going and enjoyed many friends. Leona also was a charter member and heart felt supporter of the Aquarius Aquarium Institute and supported dinners, fund raisers and information booths at fairs and other events.

Leona was the best mother to not only her two sons, but dearly loved her two daughters-in-law and considered them her own. Leona's four grandchildren were the crown jewels of her life, supporting graduations, swimming, soccer, and baseball until they grew into adulthood and tried to spend each Sunday with one of the two family's for dinner each week. Leona liked to travel, and taking off on her own for long trips were not out of the ordinary. This time last year, Leona toured Europe on a river cruise, returned and spent a couple weeks in Alaska.

Leona was preceded in death by her husband Ed; parents, Bud and Vi Davis of Sacramento, CA; sister, Jan Williams of Springfield, VA; and brother, Larry Davis of Henderson, NV.

Leona is survived by her sons, Edward L. Douthit and his wife Heidi of Fresno, and Ronald C. Douthit and his wife Debra of Clovis. Leona is survived by her grandchildren, Christopher, Michael, Haley and Dean. Leona is also survived by her brothers, Floyd Davis Jr. and his wife Kathy of Sacramento, and George Davis and his wife Alta of North Highlands, CA. Leona is survived by her in-laws, Richard and Candy McConnell of Mission Viejo, CA, Mick and Barbara Douthit of Hereford, AZ, Milly Douthit of San Bernardino, CA, Abby Davis of Sacramento, CA, and Gene Williams of Springfield, VA; along with many nieces and nephews in Virginia and California.

A Memorial Service will be held at Clovis Hills Community Church, located on Willow Avenue, south of Copper Avenue, on Saturday, June 4, 2016, at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, Leona would be extremely honored to send donations to Aquarius Aquarium Institute, 5541 Columbia Drive North, Fresno, CA 93727, 559-490-FISH (3474) http://fresnoaquarium.org/donate/

Arrangements under the direction of Stephens & Bean Funeral Chapel, Fresno, CA.