Mary Emeline Davis

Mary Emeline Davis was born October 3, 1929 in Sagerton, TX., the eldest child of R. H. “Henry “and Elva Matilda (West) Skiles. Mary, a loving mother, and memaw passed away peacefully on January 12. 2021 in Stamford, TX. She reached the age of 91 years.

Mary received her formal education in the Stamford schools. She was a lifetime resident of the Stamford area, a charter member of Calvary Baptist Church and later became a member of St. John’s United Methodist Church.

Little did Mary know, in the summer of 1944, when she met an old man sitting on the square in Stamford, that he would eventually become her father-in-law. As she walked in passing the old man inquired, “what’s your name again, girl?”, as he proudly told her of his son, he is a Navy man and I want you to meet Truman when he comes home. The introduction of Mary Skiles and Truman Davis became a reality in the summer of 1945. They wrote letters for two years while Truman was stationed on a battleship in the Philippines and Mary worked at the local hospital. Through their correspondence they talked of life, love and happiness and built a relationship that united them in marriage on March 29, 1946. To this union five children were born: Brenda, Randy, Becky, Kenneth, and Jimmy.

Mary’s children describe her as a true, Proverbs 31:10-31 wife and mother. She was the sweetest, most loving mother ever! She was so loved by her children and everyone else, because of her nurturing spirit. Mary was an extraordinary seamstress, who clothed her children and grandchildren, even designing patterns herself from newspapers. She loved to take family pictures, enjoyed being the genealogist and historian of the family. Mary was everyone’s rock, their go to person, be it family, friend, or acquaintances. Mary worked for several years at their family business, D&D Tong as the office manager.

Mary enjoyed traveling with family to Ruidoso, Las Vegas, and Port Aransas. Truman lovingly named his shrimp boat, “The Mary E” in honor of his wife. Some of her precious “memaw” time was spent at the coast teaching the grandchildren how to catch crab, and then racing the crabs on the beach.

Mary is preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Truman Welton Davis; grandsons, Cary Glenn Snow, great grandson, Christian Shane Fonville, sister, Merlene Hutson and brother Ralphord Henry Skiles, Jr.

Her beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives of her daughter, Brenda Snow; son and daughter-in-law; Randy and Carol Davis; daughter and son-in-law, Becky and Vance Atkinson; son, Kenneth Ray Davis; son, Jimmy Davis; 12 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren, and 8 great-great-grandchildren; sister, Patricia L. Ivy and many loving nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visitation will be on Thursday from 5 pm to 7 pm at Tankersley Funeral Home (807 Columbia St.) Graveside Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday January 15, 2021 at New Hope Cemetery with Rev. John Erwin officiating. The family requests memorials sent to St. John’s United Methodist Church 201 S. Ferguson Street Stamford, TX 79553.

Pallbearers will be Bryan Snow, Steve Snow, Mark Davis, Donnie Young, Davy Young and Kenneth Davis.