Jean Kidd Davis

Jean Kidd Davis, age 95, of Abilene, Texas, passed away on September 21, 2021, while in the care of Hospice of Abilene after an extended illness. She was residing at Silver Springs Nursing home on North Treadaway at the time of her death. Visitation will be on Sunday, September 26 from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. with graveside services to follow on Monday, September 27 at the Cedar Gap Cemetery at 10:00 a.m. Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, with Rick Grant of Wylie Baptist Church officiating.

Elva Jean Kidd was born August 31, 1926, in her home in what is now the Cedar Gap community to Elva Brian Kidd and Illah Belle (White) Kidd. Jean grew up on a cotton and wheat farm with her parents and brother Charles Conway Kidd, two years her junior. Jean loved movies as a teenager and attended the “picture show” in Tuscola as often as allowed. She knew all the movie stars and had pictures of Clark Gable and others adorning her bedroom wall. She attended several grade schools in southern Taylor County and graduated from Wylie High School before attending Hardin Simmons University. Upon completion of coursework, she began her career as a legal secretary which occupied the majority of 40 years, both in Abilene and briefly in Odessa.  She worked for the Veteran’s Administration in Washington, D.C. after High School and at the end of World War II, always returning to the Scarborough Law Firm in Abilene. She was a member of the National Legal Secretary Association and held offices in the Abilene Chapter for many years.

Jean married Clifford Lane Davis in 1947 and they had one son, Steven. She was an accomplished pianist and played for services at the old Cedar Gap Baptist Church on Sundays when possible. Jean was a faithful and dutiful daughter, sister, wife, mother, and grandmother, putting all her energy in giving to others. After retirement she volunteered for Hospice of Abilene utilizing her secretarial skills in an office position to maintain support staff. She had many friends and worshipped those relationships. She survived the great Depression, World War II, the Korean Conflict, the Vietnam War, and the War in the Middle East. She was wise beyond her years and always put herself in another’s frame of mind first. The book of Luke, chapter 6, verse 35, states that if you do good things expecting nothing in return, great rewards will be bestowed upon you. This verse captures the fundamental essence of Jean Davis. She is a Saintly Spirit joining those who have gone before.

Jean is survived by her son, four grandchildren, Zachary Davis (Nicole) of Garden City, Kansas, Zane Davis (Melody) of Denton, Texas, Kelli Edwards (Nicholas) of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Brian Davis (Patricia) of Beaufort, South Carolina. She has seven great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, estranged husband and two sisters-in-law.

Honorary pallbearers will be Zachary Davis, Zane Davis, Brian Davis, and Nicholas Edwards.

Memorials may be given to the Cedar Gap Cemetery Association at 641 B County Road 150, Tuscola, TX 79562 and/or the American Red Cross.

The family of Jean Kidd Davis wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to Hospice of Abilene, Nurses and Doctors, and the Nurses and Support Staff of Silver Springs Nursing Home of Abilene.