Nellie Hawkins Davis, age 95, a former long-term resident of Braymer, MO, passed away on July 23, 2022 at Indian Hills, A Stonebridge Community, Chillicothe, Missouri.
Nellie was born on December 28, 1926, in Ovid, MO, to Irvy F. and Edna Wilds Hawkins. After attending country schools, she graduated from Braymer High School in 1946. In 1950 she enlisted in the U.S. Navy. After recruit training she attended Teleman School and then was stationed at the Communication Station at Norfolk, VA, followed by the Naval Air Station in Glenview, IL. While there she met John E. Davis. They married on March 5, 1955, and were later both transferred to the Radio Facility at Wahiawa, Hawaii. In 1957 Nellie was honorably discharged as a CTO2 for the purpose of raising a family. She and their sons followed her husband to duty stations in Turkey, Germany, and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. At their last station, Naval Security Group Activity at Northwest, VA, she was selected as one of the first Naval Ombudsmen, serving in that position until John's retirement. Shortly after returning to Missouri, she was elected Davis Township Assessor, also serving as Township Clerk; was part owner with her husband in a variety store; worked part time for the County Assessor, and served as the City of Cowgill Treasurer for two years. She was a charter member of the Women's Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., and a member of American Legion Post 117, the Naval Cryptologic Veterans Association, and the United States Bowling Congress.
Nellie relished the camaraderie of Navy service. Later in life, her greatest pleasures were bowling, traveling, and joking with her sister Sadie and with her younger friends. In her last years, the loving companionship of niece Ann Miller provided much comfort.
Nellie was pre-deceased by her parents, her siblings Frances, Irvy F. ("I.F"), and Billie, and her husband, John. She is survived by sister Sadie Brown, sons Ray (of El Cerrito, CA) and Scott (of Bellingham, WA), daughters-in-law Maggie Davis and Juliet Clark, grandchildren Callie Brooke Davis and Robert Scott Davis, and many nephews and nieces.
Nellie will be interred alongside her husband of 58 years at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery at Higginsville. Her family would like to acknowledge the expert care provided by Mary Van Dyke and the staff of StoneBridge, and express our deep gratitude to Cassie and other Three Rivers Hospice staff for having done so much to help both John and Nellie through their final days.
Graveside services for close family and friends will be held on Thursday, July 28, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. No flowers are necessary. Online condolences may be made at
www.lindleyfuneralhome.com
.
Arrangements are under the direction of Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri.