Celebrating the life of
Mary Jeanette Davidson
October 30, 1922 - June 11, 2008
Savannah- Mrs. Mary Jeanette "Jan" Davidson, 85, died Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at Hospice House.
She was born in Austin, Texas and grew up in Corpus Christi. She was the daughter of Thomas and Katherine Cocreham. Jan was an art major at Texas State College for Women in Denton, Texas. When World War II broke out and the bombing of Pearl Harbor, she became a Red Cross volunteer nurses aide, assisting patients in local hospitals and rolling bandages for wounded veterans overseas. During this time, she met and married Pierre Carnagey in 1942, a marine pilot who was killed in the Pacific. Later in 1948 she married Eldon Davidson, U.S.M.C. and native of Cape Cod. After Major Davidson retired from the Marine Corp in 1962, the couple, along with their three sons moved from Raleigh, North Carolina to Savannah. Mr. Davidson became Airport Director of the Savannah International Airport until his retirement in 1991.
Jan was a "born artist" and pursued painting, design and sculpture her entire life. She received numerous awards and recognition throughout her lifetime. She was a devoted mother to her three sons, becoming a Den Mother in the Cub Scouts and a Sunday school teacher. Along with her husband and others, she was instrumental in establishing St. Frances of the Islands Episcopal Church on Wilmington Island. Jan created the bronze sculpture of St. Francis of Assisi which stands in the church memorial garden cemetery. Later she and many of the other church members designed the needlepoint cushions for the kneelers in the church.
Jan is survived by her three sons, Earle, James, William Daniel and his wife Leslie; granddaughter, Carley and grandson Ashley of the U.S.C.G., children of Earle.
Memorial Visitation: 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, June 13, 2008 at the Islands Chapel of Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors.
Memorial Service: 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 14, 2008 at St. Francis of the Islands Episcopal Church followed by burial in the church memorial garden.
Remembrances: St. Francis of the Islands Episcopal Church, 590 Walthour Rd., Savannah, GA 31410 or Hospice Savannah, Inc., P.O. Box 13190, Savannah, GA 31416.
no matter that people die all the time and we are all going to do the same, death is still a sad event. the last time i saw mrs davidson was about a year or so ago. richard was driving dad's truck and i was in the passenger's seat. she was removing mail from her box and she looked up as we passed by. i waved, smiled and we made eye contact. her quizzical expression turned to a smile of recognition as she realized the two grey headed, bearded fellows going by were dicky and billy. she never could remember my real name and never made the transition to richard and robert. that fleeting encounter brought a feeling of joy and sadness to my being as we continued around the bend. i was flooded with pleasant memories of when our paths were momentarily woven together so many years before when chance granted friendship between her sons and the boys down the street. that was the first time we had seen each other in about 30 years. funny how the passage of time changes one's perspective on the events of life and death. let us hope that the one who spoke of peace knew what he was talking about so that we shall all share in his promise of a circle left unbroken, of the everlasting.
- r. j. desprez, ,
Jan will be missed by many. She was a wonderful friend to my Mom and Dad Jean and Bobby Millerand they had so much fun traveling on airport business together. I had a wonderful time in San Francisco with her. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
- Cackie Miller Alley, Pleasant Garden, PA
no matter that people die all the time and we are all going to do the same, death is still a sad event. the last time i saw mrs davidson was about a year or so ago. richard was driving dad's truck and i was in the passenger's seat. she was removing mail from her box and she looked up as we passed by. i waved, smiled and we made eye contact. her quizzical expression turned to a smile of recognition as she realized the two grey headed, bearded fellows going by were dicky and billy. she never could remember my real name and never made the transition to richard and robert. that fleeting encounter brought a feeling of joy and sadness to my being as we continued around the bend. i was flooded with pleasant memories of when our paths were momentarily woven together so many years before when chance granted friendship between her sons and the boys down the street. that was the first time we had seen each other in about 30 years. funny how the passage of time changes one's perspective on the events of life and death. let us hope that the one who spoke of peace knew what he was talking about so that we shall all share in his promise of a circle left unbroken, of the everlasting.
- r. j. desprez, ,
Jan will be missed by many. She was a wonderful friend to my Mom and Dad Jean and Bobby Millerand they had so much fun traveling on airport business together. I had a wonderful time in San Francisco with her. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
- Cackie Miller Alley, Pleasant Garden, PA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
