Helen S. Davis

Helen S. Davis passed away June 8, 2015 in Surprise, Arizona. Helen was born April 1, 1918 in Indianola, Illinois – Daughter of Homer O. and Collestia Jane Allen. She graduated from Indianola High School in 1936 and started her banking career in a State Bank in Indianola. She was active in all school sports and received the Good Citizenship award her senior year. Upon closing of the bank she went to Danville, Ill. and worked in the office of the Recording and Statistical Corporation.

Helen was married December 6, 1941 to Charles W. Davis and they made their home in Fithian, Ill. where he was the Rural Mail Carrier. She was active in many local organizations; Church, Mothers March of Dimes working with the children to get their Polio vaccine.

Helen served as a Gray Lady at the Veterans Hospital in Danville, Ill. during World War II. She worked in the locked ward with the shell shocked Vets. She was assigned to a young lad who wouldn’t talk, but would put a U.S. puzzle map together in a very short time. Very sad! They had many guards, of course, but had no trouble with any of the 15 to 20 men in the ward. At that time her youngest brother, Charles, who was in the Air Force, had his plane shot down in Germany and he was taken as a prisoner of war.

Helen’s daughter, Carolyn Jean was born in 1944 and son, Charles was born in 1947. Both were teachers and administrators and both of them married teachers.

Helen was a past Matron with the order of the Eastern Star and State Secretary to the Illinois Rural Letter Carriers Ladies Auxiliary Association. She traveled the entire state of Illinois and attended many National and State Conventions. She was also 1st President of Fithian Grade School P.T.A. and worked in many activities in the FIthian Methodist Church, as well as being a Cub Scout Leader.

Employed by the First National Bank of Ogden, Ill. and served as bookkeeper, teller, and operation manager for 21 years. During that time she trained High School Students from different schools in banking. Helen was honored by being selected for listing in the 8th addition of Who’s Who in America – a reference volume listing of outstanding Women in America.

In 1972 both Helen and Charles retired and moved to Sun City, AZ. They were among the first members of the Church of the Palms. In addition to church activities, they played golf, and entertained at the nursing homes with round dancing. They moved to Sun City West in early May of 1979 and then moved into their condo home on June 28, 1979.

She was a founding member of the Desert Garden Church of Christ, serving as the first Financial Secretary and a member of the Building Committee. She served as a member of the Care Ministries for some time.

Helen was a member of the Pebblebrook and Echo Mesa Golf Club of S.C.W. She loved music and played the organ for many years.