Obituary of Ruth T. Davis

Ruth Davis Sidney, NY Ruth Davis, 90, died February 28, 2014 at the New York State Veterans home in Oxford, eight years after her diagnosis with Alzheimer's disease. Anyone who knew her will never forget the spirit of enthusiasm, generosity and good humor she brought to living. Despite the cruelty of her final disease-a disease that took so much from her-some of that spirit endured to the end. Ruth was born on April 1, 1923, in Athens, PA, the daughter of Luman and Ruth Terryberry. In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her brother, Luman, Jr. and her husband of 71 years, Dixie Davis. She is survived by a son David (Margaret) of Oxford and their daughter, Lea, and Son Robert (Catherine Clifton) Davis of Guilford. In an addition to one official granddaughter, Ruth "adopted" many friends' children over the years. They included the children of Ralph and Barbara Felter-Adam, Beth and Kyle; the children of Melody Champion-Liam and Darby; and Margaret Beasley, a resident of Pathfinder Village. Her work career began after her marriage to Dixie Davis in 1942. Early in his time of service in the Army, she worked at Shepard Niles in Montour Falls, NY, Artistic Cards in Elmira, NY and at Sampson Naval Base in Interlaken, NY. After joining Dixie in his stateside assignment training infantry troops, she worked in the Post Signal Office at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Early in the 1950's Ruth and Dixie relocated to Sidney. While she cared for two children, Ruth and her mother ran a tailoring business from home. Later she worked part-time at Nichols Department Store in Sidney. In 1965, she went to work for what was then Keith Clark, Inc. and rose from a clerical position to coordinating much of production scheduling at the plant. She retired in 1985 after 20 years of service. Throughout her life, Ruth was an avid learner. In adulthood, she became an accomplished photographer, gardener, cake decorator, re-upholsterer and woodworker. She used her sewing talents to make all the costumes for the Aquacades held in Sidney in the 1950's and she made the matching suit coats worn by her son David's rock band in 1960's. Friends will recall her making the cherry spindles and newel posts for a staircase in her son Bob's house. She had strong sense of repaying her good fortune through service to her community. She volunteered in support of the intermediate Care Facility in Sidney; served as Church Treasurer at the Bainbridge Baptist Church; and was active in the Eastern Star, including a term as Matron in the Sidney chapter. With all her accomplishments and skills, Ruth would say her proudest accomplishments were helping raise a good family and nurture long friendships. He love and loyalty were unmatched. Friends may call from 3-5 PM on Saturday, March 8, 2014 at the United Presbyterian Church of East Guilford. Memorial donation may be made to the United Presbyterian Church of East Guilford PO Box 147 Sidney, NY. Condolences and memories may be shared online at www.landersfh.com Arrangements are under the direction of C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel Sidney.