Melanie Rush Davis

Melanie was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on May 10, 1955. She is survived by Adeline (Addie) Rush and pre-deceased by Harold (Joe) Rush. She was the fourth child of eight—two brothers and five sisters. She is survived by her husband Kemp Galloway Davis and her daughter, Emma Jewel Davis, both of San Antonio, TX.

Her childhood was filled with global travel with her military family. She moved from Indiana to Turkey, to California then to the Philippine Islands where she graduated from high school at Clark AFB. She left the PI to attend college in the US, were she graduated from UTSA with a BFA, MFA in Photography. She diligently pursued her love of photography by becoming an artist, a teacher, a published author, and mentor to many. She was a professor of photography at St. Mary's University, University of Incarnate Word, Trinity University, Northwest Vista, Southwest School of Arts and Craft, and St. Mary's Hall.

Melanie has displayed her art throughout the world, but her impact is best seen in San Antonio. In the art community Melanie is well known for her unique pinhole photography, earning her local-legend status as "the pinhole queen." She has constructed life-sized "camera obscuras," and frequently presented her work at the Blue Star Arts Complex and the annual Luminaria event. She taught pinhole photography at the Craft Center every Saturday for 30 years. She was often seen driving a convertible VW bug with the top down to photoshoots or teaching. Melanie was known for always bringing a camera and wonderful food to parties. She had an infectious optimistic spirit, whenever you were with her, she made you feel like the most important person in the world. Her smile and giving heart are known around the country and have left their mark on anyone in her wake.

She will be cremated at Porter Loring mortuary. Memorial services will be held at University Presbyterian Church on Sunday, December 9th at 4pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to University Presbyterian Children's Center in Melanie's memory. Make checks payable to UPCC with "Melanie Rush Davis Memorial" on memo line and mail to UPCC, 300 Bushnell Ave, San Antonio, TX 78212. To donate online, please go to

http://www.upcsa.org/giving