Elna Davis

Our sweet Mama entered Heaven on Wednesday, February 18, 2015. She was born Elna Juanita Pickering on September 5, 1917 in Sagerton, TX to Etta Muriel (Hill) and John Walter Pickering. She was one of eight children born prior to the Great Depression and knew all too well the hardships of that period. She remembered times of having nothing to eat but potato soup; very thin, runny potato soup. In 1939, while waiting tables at a restaurant in Weinert, TX, she met a truck driver who asked her out. She married J. D. Davis three weeks later; and during the next 12 years, their marriage was blessed with six children. The years that followed were full of love and kids and hard work. They began in a rented room, moved to their own one-room house, and eventually built the “Big House” which had two bedrooms, a living room, and a kitchen. Though life was often tough, Mama’s love was tougher! She never wavered as she endured hardships, sacrificed for her children, and remained committed to those she loved. Mama got up early, worked hard all day long, and then worked some more. She never grumbled or complained, she kept on working. She never cursed or yelled, she kept on being soft spoken. She never threatened or demeaned, she kept on loving. She could sew a shirt or a dress out of a feed sack, she could drive a truck or a hay baler or a combine, and she could make the best custard pie in the county! Some folks say “A picture is worth a million words”, but with Mama “An example of faith was worth a million sermons.” As she sang “Onward Christian Soldiers” or “The Old Rugged Cross” to us, there was never a doubt about where she stood with Jesus. And on Wednesday, as she was leaving this earthly place for her mansion in Glory, we could not help but be reminded of one of her favorites, “I’ll Fly Away!” Those waiting for her in Heaven include her husband, J. D. Davis; her parents and five sisters, Monnie Fort, Winnie Stephens, Viola Crowley, Billie Jo Shelton, and Eula Faye Pickering; and her great granddaughter, Jacqueline Anderson. Left to cherish her memory are four sons and their spouses, Walter Davis and Mary Alice of Floydada, TX, W. C. Davis and Pat of Beaverton, OR, J. D. Davis and Mary of Lone Star, TX, and Cecil Davis and Pam of Abilene; two daughters and their spouses, Mary Alice Carlson and Charles of Odessa, TX, and Doris May Watson and Kenny of Abilene; a brother, John Pickering and wife Jo of Spring Valley, CA; a sister, Jessie Shipley and husband Ervin of Selah, WA; 23 grandchildren; 54 great grandchildren, four great-great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. A family graveside service will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 21, in Weinert Cemetery in Weinert, TX with Rudy Seals officiating, assisted by Cecil Davis. A memorial celebration will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday at The Hamil Family Funeral Chapel, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene, TX. If you choose, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Big Country, 4601 Hartford, Abilene, TX 79605.