Bettye Margret Davis

Bettye Margret Davis, resident of the Somerville Community, former resident of Memphis and retired employee of Rock Island Railroad Company in Memphis departed this life Thursday afternoon, February 21, 2013 at the National Health Care Center in Somerville where she had been a resident for five years. She was 89 years of age and died following an extended illness.

Services of Remembrance for Miss Davis were conducted at 11 A.M. Monday, February 25th at the Peebles West Funeral Chapel at Oakland with Rev. Kent Bailey of Somerville officiating. Interment followed in the Forrest Park Cemetery at Forrest City, Arkansas. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes & Cremation Center — West Chapel at Oakland.

Miss Davis was born March 11, 1923 in Forrest City, Arkansas. She was preceded in death by her parents, Winfield Davis and Kate Fields Davis, early residents of St. Francis County, Arkansas. She received her education in the Forrest City Public School System and was a graduate of Forrest City High School. She continued her education at the Memphis College of Commerce.

Miss Davis was employed in the Memphis office of the Rock Island Railroad Company for over 37 years before her retirement. She was a lifelong Methodist and retained her church membership throughout her life at the Forrest City United Methodist Church. She was a resident of Memphis for a number of years before moving to the Somerville Community after her retirement from the railroad.

Miss Davis will be remembered as an avid world traveler and enjoyed traveling with friends throughout the United States and abroad. She made many friends during her travels and railroad career and remained devoted to her family and friends throughout her life. Her favorite pastime was the study of birds and observing them in their native habitat.

Miss Davis is survived by her close friend and caregiver, Lori Hernandez of Memphis; and close friends, Melissa James of Memphis, Bob Hartman of Memphis and many more friends in Fayette and Shelby counties. She also leaves two surrogate grandsons, Ethan Hernandez of Memphis and Henry Hartman of Memphis. She was preceded in death by two devoted brothers, Richard Davis of Forrest City, AR and Tom Davis of Memphis.

Those honored to serve as casketbearers were Ethan Hernandez, Joshua Beam, Tim Beam, David Blagg, Jeramy Cline and Bob Hartmann.

The family requests that memorials be directed to the Forrest City United Methodist Church, 101 S. Izard Street, Forrest City, AR 72335 or to the Recreation Department of the National Health Care Center, 308 Lake Drive, Somerville, TN 38068.