Kathy Ann Davis

July 6, 1954-February 17, 2026

Kathy died surrounded by family after a brief and courageous battle with cancer.

Born in Yakima to James and Frances Shrader, she graduated from Eisenhower High School in 1973, where she was in the marching band. Kathy received her Associate of General Studies degree from Yakima Valley College in 1976, then attended Eastern Washington University. She worked as a paraprofessional for the Yakima School District for 47 years, primarily at Barge-Lincoln Elementary School. Kathy worked with families across three generations throughout her career. In 2017 Kathy was awarded the YSD Employee of the Year. She attended many Washington Education Association Representative Assemblies between 2008-2024 for the Yakima Association of Paraeducators. While on the WEA Board, Kathy also attended National Education Association Representative Assemblies in New Orleans and Orlando, as well as the NEA Educational Support Professionals National Conference in Seattle. She retired in 2025.

One of Kathy’s hobbies was knitting hats, then giving them away to friends, family, and entire elementary classes. She estimated that 8,000 were made and donated. For 30 years Kathy volunteered with Trail Seekers, an organization that mentors children in Yakima and Kennewick, encouraging them to stay in school and to become contributing members of society. Kathy was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society and traveled to many of their conventions throughout the United States. She was also a member of PEO for 38 years and the Yakima Woman’s Century Club for 20 years. Kathy was a member of the First Baptist Church of Yakima.

Kathy married Dan Davis of Yakima in 1979. They had a son, Dana, who was her pride and joy. Kathy was preceded in death by her father Jim, mother Fran, maternal aunt Helen Gorman, and her paternal uncle John “Bud” Shrader. She is survived by her loving son, Dana Davis (Raquel) of Yakima and granddaughter Olivia, brother, Brian “Kim” Shrader (Jean) of Redmond, WA, nieces Jill McGovern (Andy) of Kirkland, WA and Krista Spaun (Jacob) of Lake Stevens, WA, along with Olivia’s maternal grandparents Elba and John Richards of Yakima.

A funeral will be held on Saturday, March 21st, at 11:00 a.m., at Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church, 9 South 8th Ave., Yakima, WA 98902, followed by a lunch in their Garden Room. There will be a live stream of the funeral, with a link provided on www.dignitymemorial.com one day before the funeral; search for Kathy Ann Davis. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Kathy’s memory can be made to two local nonprofits: Trail Seekers, P.O. Box 1182, Yakima, WA 98907, or The Woman’s Century Club, P.O. Box 2506, Yakima, WA 98907. Alternatively, donations can be made to The American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741.

There will also be a celebration of life at the Woman’s Century Club on March 28, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at 304 N. 2nd St., Yakima, WA 98901.