Merry Luanne Davidson

She was a wonderful parent and homemaker. Her earliest ambition was to be a mother and she was very attentive to her family's needs.

The family heard the story that Merry was born in the two-story home her father built himself in rural Jackson County, Michigan, but her birth certificate says she was born in the township of Bunker Hill, Ingham County. She grew up on the family's corn and dairy farm and learned an innate sense of direction because it was easy to get lost in the cornfields.

Merry was educated in a one-room schoolhouse by her mother M. Myrle Ranck, who taught every child in the county from kindergarten to eighth grade in that same room.

Later Merry and her mother graduated from teacher's college on the very same day! Merry earned a Master's Degree in Education and became a successful kindergarten teacher, serving several years as a "Master Teacher" for new teachers. Merry's favorite student Aggie kept up with her over the years and proudly shares that she and her daughters all became teachers because of Merry's influence.

After her eldest daughter Dawn's birth, Merry continued teaching as a volunteer in inner city programs in Rochester, NY, supporting people more marginalized and less fortunate than herself. Dawn similarly has taught many classes, following in Merry's footsteps as a teacher and active volunteer in her community.

Merry met her husband Jo while visiting a friend in Detroit. Her car broke down in the driveway, and Jo was able to fix it. He also fixed them up on a date! Sparks flew. Merry had always wanted to be a Christmas bride and got her wish on December 19, 1959 when they were married in Fitchburg Methodist Church. Jo was in the Air Force at the time so that started off the many relocations for the family.

Merry was influential on her children. She had wanted to become an architect and was accepted into architecture school, but was prevented from attending by the times in which she grew up.

Later her youngest daughter Jennifer became an interior designer and credits Merry's beautiful, classy designs of the many family homes as inspiration for her career choice. The Davidson family moved 36 times, according to Merry!

Dawn was also inspired by Merry. In addition to becoming a mother to Allegra and Victoria, Dawn sings and credits Merry's time in church choirs as an influence. Merry loved being a grandmother and bragged about her kids and grandkids often.

Merry was always busy! She was a popular member of the Welcome Wagon in several communities including San Jose, CA, and Alpharetta, GA. She volunteered at her children's schools, working in the office and the library. She led a Girl Scout Troop for a few years in Dawn's childhood, inspiring Dawn to do the same for Allegra in turn. She took the kids and grandkids to camps, horseback riding school, soccer games, and secretarial school. Later in life she became a peer counselor through her church in a program known as the Stephen Ministries, positively influencing many lives with her care and compassion. Inspired by Merry's example once again, Dawn expects to complete a graduate degree in Counseling Psychology in 2025.

In Collierville, Tennessee, where her husband Jo retired to a battle with cancer, Merry worked with the local HOA to create a welcoming neighborhood. She also contributed greatly to her church, hosting events for Sunday School groups like the Overcomers later known as the Galileans, and men's and women's breakout groups.

Merry was instrumental in helping Jo beat his first cancer, driving him to Mississippi and Texas to find the very best treatments for him. She taught herself to do the family bill-paying, banking, and accounting, something that women were not encouraged to do when she grew up. She learned a lot about health and advocated for Jo's medical journey. She also listened and supported other family members with their health.

Sadly, in her later years Merry was overcome by dementia, a condition that runs on both sides of the family. She spent her last few years alongside Jo, who had been in facility care the last 22 years of his life also.

Even while in memory care, Merry was smart, funny, and had a silly sense of humor. She loved to wear hats, arrange flowers, color and do crafts, and watch the birds in the garden. Merry's own gardens and yards were always left in immaculate condition, and the family continued the tradition at her care facilities so all the residents could benefit.

Merry loved Christmas -- it was her favorite holiday. It was fitting that she got to have one last Christmas surrounded by her daughters, church community and close friends before peacefully passing away.

Merry will be missed by all who knew her.

_________________

Mother's name: Merry Myrle Mears Ranck

Father's name: Clarence Wilbur Ranck

Birthplace: Township of Bunker Hill, Ingham County, Michigan

EDUCATION

• Michigan Elementary Public School, Jackson County, MI, graduated 1947

• Stockbridge High School, Stockbridge, MI, graduated 1951

• Michigan State Normal College aka Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI, graduated 1955 with a Bachelor of Science in Education

• University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, graduated August 16, 1958 with a Master of Arts in Education

WORK HISTORY

• Secretary, Michigan State Prison, Jackson, MI, 195?-195?

• Teacher, Hohokam Elementary School, Scottsdale, AZ, 1959-1962

• Volunteer Teacher, Rochester, NY, 1965-1972

• Girl Scout Troop Leader, Troop 408, Greece, NY, 1969-1972

CHURCH AFFILIATIONS

• Fitchburg Methodist Church, Fitchburg, MI, 1934-1959

• Stockbridge Methodist Church, Stockbridge, MI, 1934-1959

• Munith Methodist Church, Munith, MI, 1934-1959

• Greece Baptist Church, Rochester, NY, 1965-1976

• Southern Baptist Church, Bergen County, CA, 1976-1977

• New Life Church of the Nazarene, San Jose, CA, 1977-1984

• Mount Pisgah United Methodist Church, Alpharetta, GA, 1984-1997

• Central Church, Collierville, TN, 1999-2024

ORGANIZATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS

• Girl Scouts of America, 1969-1972

SURVIVING RELATIVES

• Daughter - Dawn Marie Davidson, Belmont, CA

• Daughter - Jennifer Lynn Davidson, Monterey, CA

• Granddaughter - Allegra Kiska Davidson, Washington State

• Granddaughter - Victoria Lynn Collins Vickery, Melbourne, Australia

• Grandson-in-law - Jesse Vickery, Melbourne, Australia

• Brother-in-law - Jon Davidson, DeBary, FL

• Sister-in-law - Patricia M. Davidson, DeBary, FL

• Brother-in-law - James Edwards, Belleville, MI

• Sister-in-law - Ann Edwards, Belleville, MI

A CELEBRATION OF LIFE

You are invited to

a Celebration of Life

for MERRY LUANNE DAVIDSON

Monday, September 15, 2025

Doors open 12:00 noon Central Time.

Services begin at 1:00 pm.

Coffee, lemonade, and doughnuts to follow.

THE CHAPEL AT CENTRAL CHURCH

2005 East Winchester Boulevard

Collierville, Tennessee 38017

(901) 888-4673

Pastor Gus Schroeder will give a short sermon, the family will share tributes, and a memory table will be available for viewing.

Please wear bright and colorful clothing to the service! Merry's favorite colors were pink, red, and yellow.

Light a digital candle for Merry here

or use this link: bit.ly/MerryDavidsonMemorial

Scroll down below the 'In Memory Of' box of photos.

We'd love to see a dozen candles for Merry!🕯️❤️🙏

DONATIONS IN LIEU OF FLOWERS

https://dementiasociety.charityproud.org/donate

RSVP AND QUESTIONS

Jen's cell: (510) 213-1222

Jen's email: [email protected]

_____________

You are invited to

a Committal Service

for JO and MERRY DAVIDSON

Saturday, September 20, 2025

Arrival 11:00 am Eastern Time

Services begin at 11:30 am

After-gathering/lunch 12:45 pm until 2:45 pm at Uptown Coney Restaurant, Chelsea

FITCHBURG CEMETERY

Fitchburg Road, Bunkerhill Township

Stockbridge, Michigan 49285

Directions at bottom

Services officiated by Pastor Joy Barrett, Chelsea United Methodist Church, Chelsea, MI.

The family will share short tributes, then place Jo and Merry's urns into their final resting place. The service will end with Military Honors for Jo, including a Gun Salute.

Please wear bright and colorful clothing to the service! Merry's favorite colors were pink, red, and yellow, and Jo's favorite color was blue.

Light a digital candle for Merry here

or use this link: bit.ly/MerryDavidsonMemorial

Light a digital candle for Jo here

or use this link: bit.ly/JoDavidsonMemorial

Scroll down below the 'In Memory Of' box of photos.

DONATIONS IN LIEU OF FLOWERS

For JO: https://help.dav.org/page/66135/donate/1

For MERRY: https://dementiasociety.charityproud.org/donate

RSVP AND QUESTIONS

Jen's cell: (510) 213-1222

Jen's email: [email protected]

DIRECTIONS TO FITCHBURG CEMETERY

From Stockbridge - Head west on W. Main Street past M-52. W. Main Street will turn into Morton Road. Take a left (south) on Heeney Road which will curve around and start heading west. Follow Heeney to Parman Road. Turn left (south) on Parman Road. Take a right (west) on Fitchburg Road. Go past Freiermuth Road and past Haynes Road. The cemetery is on the left side of the road. If you pass Williamston Road you've gone too far.

GATHERING/LUNCH AT UPTOWN CONEY RESTAURANT - ALL ARE WELCOME

Saturday, Sept 20, 2025

Arrival 12:45 pm until 2:45 pm Eastern Time

30 mins from Fitchburg Cemetery

Off I-94, 1555 S. Main St, Chelsea, Michigan 48118

(734) 433-1012

Indoor patio / atrium area off main dining. Seats available at multiple tables surrounded by windows. Seated orders.

We will share memories and tell stories of Jo and Merry!

PLEASE RSVP TO JENNIFER

(510) 213-1222 or [email protected]

so we can confirm our reservation number.