Carol Bonante Davis

It is with deep sorrow and profound love that we announce the passing of Carol Bonante Davis, who passed away peacefully on October 17, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee, following a long and courageous journey with Alzheimer's disease. Born on May 2, 1944, in the Bronx, New York, to Thomas and Aurora Bonante, Carol lived a life filled with love, creativity, generosity, and an unwavering devotion to those she held dear.

Carol had an extraordinary gift for making people feel welcomed and loved. A gracious and consummate hostess, she delighted in bringing family and friends together around her table. Whether preparing a sumptuous meal, creating the perfect tablescape, or celebrating a special occasion, Carol approached every gathering with warmth, elegance, and meticulous attention to detail. Her greatest pleasure came not simply from entertaining, but from the joy of bringing people together and making everyone feel at home.

Her passion for cooking and baking was equally memorable. Carol's chocolate chip cookies and biscotti were legendary among family and friends. Encouraged by friends who adored her marble cheesecake and chocolate mousse pie, she turned her talent into a small business, Desserts by Carol. What began as a love of baking became another expression of her creativity and joy in sharing something special with others. She also delighted in making pasta from scratch, carrying on the Italian culinary traditions she held dear. Each Christmas, she lovingly baked an assortment of holiday cookies, including pizzelles, delicate Italian waffle cookies. Her favorite Christmas tradition was making and enjoying struffoli, the traditional Italian honey-coated pastries that became a cherished part of the family's holiday celebrations.

A naturally gifted artist from a young age, Carol found beauty and inspiration in the world around her. She especially loved painting landscapes, often capturing scenes with photographs during her travels, before bringing them to life on canvas. With her acrylic paints, she recreated these cherished places with remarkable precision, vibrant color, and an artist's eye for detail. Her artistic talents earned her both First Place and the Mayor's Choice Award at an art exhibition and competition in Franklin, Tennessee, a special recognition of the creativity and passion she brought to her work. Perhaps even more meaningful were the paintings she lovingly created as gifts for each of her grandchildren, treasured keepsakes that will forever remind them of their Mimi and the love she put into everything she made.

Carol also found joy in life's simple pleasures: tending to her garden, walking the peaceful trails of Radnor Lake, traveling through Italy, sharing laughter with dear friends. She and Mike enjoyed savoring a glass of wine while watching the magnificent sunsets from the cabin in Elmwood, Tennessee and collecting seashells along the beaches of Sanibel Island. These moments reflected her appreciation for nature, beauty, friendship, and the pleasure of simply being surrounded by those she loved.

Among Carol's many accomplishments were her education at the prestigious Katharine Gibbs Secretarial School in New York City and her subsequent career at J. Walter Thompson, a world-renowned advertising agency. Her intelligence, sophistication, and attention to detail were evident throughout her life. However, the roles she cherished most were those of mother and, later, grandmother.

Above all, Carol treasured her family. During her marriage to Gary P. Spoleta, they welcomed their two daughters, Stacey Hunt Spier and Kristen S. Teel, who remained at the heart of her life. She later shared 24 years of marriage with her devoted husband, Michael E. Davis, and warmly welcomed his daughter, Michele Bailey, her husband, Jerry, and their daughter, Morgan, into her family. Carol was affectionately known as "Mimi" to her seven beloved grandchildren, Hayden, Gracyn, Marcus, Ford, Lucy, Molly, and Morgan—a role she cherished deeply. She was also lovingly known as "Aunt Carol" to her nieces, Kelly Steele and Dina Watson. To her devoted sister, Donna Burch, she was playfully known as "Sista." These affectionate names reflected the warmth and special bonds that defined her relationships with those closest to her.

Carol was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Thomas and Aurora Bonante; her aunts, Frances, Theresa, and Rose; and her adored brother-in-law, Glenn Burch.

Carol will be remembered for her generous heart, artistic spirit, remarkable hospitality, and the love she poured into everything she did. Whether through a lovingly prepared meal, a beautifully painted landscape, or a thoughtful gesture, she had a special way of making life more beautiful for everyone around her.

Though her absence leaves an immeasurable void, her spirit lives on in the traditions she created, the memories she leaves behind, and the love she so generously shared. The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to Carol's devoted caregivers, Barbara Freeman and Shana Ouwsu, for their kindness, compassion, and loving care. They are also deeply grateful to the wonderful nurses, staff, and volunteers at Alive Hospice for the comfort, dignity, and support they provided to Carol and her family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Carol's memory to the Alzheimer's Association or Alive Hospice.

Her life was a beautiful expression of love, and her memory will forever be a blessing.