Ethel Wells Davies

Pug was born on December 17th, 1923 to Ethel (née Corley) and Charles George Wells in the newly-built hospital across the street from the family home in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Her father carried her home in his arms.

Pug described her hometown as a close-knit community with a vibrant cultural life. She enjoyed playing in her high school’s award-winning orchestra, spending weekends at the family cabin on Moon Lake, and attending Camp Tallehaw. Pug began college at Mississippi State College for Women but left after the U.S. entered World War II, determined to support the war effort. She took a job as a bookkeeper at Fletcher Field, Clarksdale’s Air Force training base. She often told the story of using base records to help arrange dates for the dances Clarksdale hosted for the soldiers.

After the war, Pug became a stewardess with American Airlines, enjoying adventures across the country. One of her passengers, William Wellman of MGM, was so enchanted by Pug’s stories he decided to make a movie about them. The result was Three Guys Named Mike (1951) starring Jane Wyman, Howard Keel, Van Johnson, and Barry Sullivan. Pug made a few brief appearances in the film, and had loads of fun consulting on the set and traveling for promotion.

Another of Pug’s airline passengers decided he knew just the man she should meet. He arranged a blind date with Tom Davies, which led to a long, happy marriage and three children. Pug and Tom settled into California life in Pacific Palisades, “toting and fetching” kids and volunteering at school, church, and in the community. Pug worked as room mother for St. Matthew’s Parish School, was a driver and docent for The Music Mobile (bringing music education to underserved communities), and joined the National Charity League and the Westside Guild. She spent many years in Community Bible Study as a student and leader. Her paddle tennis group, “The Blazing Paddles,” were legendary in their hijinks and birthday parties, complete with silly hats and green uniforms. They played at the Bel Air Bay Club every week for decades and never knew the score.

Upon retiring to Carmel, Pug and Tom joined Carmel Presbyterian Church. Pug became a member of the Casa Abrego Club, volunteered as a docent at the Monterey Museum of Art at La Mirada, and ran the Twilight Golf program at Quail Lodge. She enjoyed studying British and American history and was a proud member of the Monterey Committee of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America. She enjoyed her grandchildren and attended their plays, athletic events, and special days at school. Into their 90s, Pug and Tom most loved just being together—reading the newspaper, enjoying a meal, or listening to music.

Pug will be remembered as a cheerful, generous, and energetic person who was full of fun and ideas. She loved travel, service, and making friends. Her Christian faith was the bedrock of her life. Always full of joy and optimism, her favorite Bible verse was Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

Pug was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, “Tommy” (Thomas Patrick Davies), who called her “Dearheart.” Pug is survived by her children who were the joy of her life: Kimberly Ann Davies, Patrick Alan Davies, and Mary Davies MacVicar. She also leaves Mary’s husband Donald and her grandchildren, Kathleen MacVicar Deweber (Nathan) and Thomas David MacVicar. Pug also leaves her beloved niece and nephew, Carsten Davies and Horace Andrew Davies II.

The family wishes to extend the utmost gratitude to the caring and dedicated staff of Ivy Park, Monterey, and Continuum Hospice and Palliative Care of the Central Coast. They have been a tremendous blessing to our family.