Irene Davis

Every once in a while, one encounters an individual whose life was filled with so much love and joy that it is evident this person lived a life that was truly blessed. Gladys Irene Davis was one of these people. She spent many years giving and receiving love. A cherished wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, Irene was both blessed by and a blessing to those she loved. “Praise God from whom all blessings flow.”

1925 found the country right in the middle of the Roaring 20s. For those living in big cities, it was a time of flappers and speakeasies. For those living in small towns, it was a time of hard work and raising families. Earl and Lorena (Hayes) Kane lived in the town of Doniphan, Missouri, near the heart of the Current River. On August 6, 1925, the couple delighted in welcoming the birth of their daughter, Gladys Irene. Irene, as she was called, grew up in a large family; she was one of twelve children with eight brothers and three sisters. Their parents made sure the children learned responsibility by pitching in with chores and caring for the younger siblings. This wasn’t always an easy task as the younger brothers were often difficult to manage.

Irene received her education in the rural one-room schoolhouse until the 8th grade and then went on to the big high school in Doniphan. However, her family moved mid school year to the Poynor neighborhood, which meant Irene had to walk 2 miles both ways to catch a bus to school. This quickly grew tiresome for Irene so she went to her principal in search of a family in the area that would give her room and board in exchange for childcare and housework. Despite the easier commute to school, Irene missed her family terribly and looked forward to her monthly visits home. Her mom and dad made sure to make every visit special for her. The 3 years following high school Irene taught in the local 2 room country school. Her higher education consisted of a 6 week summer term at Southwest Missouri State Teacher's College at Cape Girardau, Missouri.

In December 1942, Irene’s life took a new direction when she met Richard Davis of Blytheville, Arkansas. At the time, Richard was serving as a Tech Sergeant in a B24 Bomber crew in the U.S. Air Force stationed at Walnut Ridge Air Base. Irene and Richard exchanged letters all the while he was away, and when he finally made it home in early March 1945, they were married a few weeks later in Richard’s parents’ home in Paragould, Arkansas on March 31st. Oh happy day! The couple spent the next 59 years together, raising their four children: Larry, Richard “Alan”, Daniel and Linda, and sharing many wonderful memories as a family. In 1950, one of Irene’s brothers helped her husband Richard get a job at the KVP paper mill, which led the family to move to Kalamazoo, Michigan. Richard worked here for 36 years, while Irene continued to devote herself to being a mother and homemaker. Her nurturing and teachings, however, went beyond just her children as she spent many years as a Sunday school teacher and opened her home for childcare. Her dedicated work helped her touch the hearts of many.

Irene and Richard loved to travel and had been all over the U.S. in their pickup camper. After Irene starting having problems with her eyes, the couple took to flying to their destinations. In 1987, Irene and Richard moved back to Doniphan, Missouri to help take care of Richard’s mom, though it also brought them closer to their siblings and cousins. They shared many great times and trips together over the years; family get togethers happened often. One of Irene’s greatest joys was being a doting grandmother to her 11 grandchildren, who she loved dearly. She was always available when it came to babysitting her grandkids; there were always giggles and plenty of hugs when Grandma Irene was around. In her more leisure time, Irene enjoyed tending to her vegetable and flower gardens, playing table games, particularly Scrabble, and doing some cross stitching, embroidery and quilting.

Although Irene’s life was happy, it was also marked by great sorrow. Irene lost her beloved husband Richard in May 2004, after 59 wonderful years of marriage. Shortly after, Irene’s daughter and her husband asked Irene to come live with them, and it was here that she met a lovely lady named Mary, who came to care for her 5 days a week. The two quickly became good friends and enjoyed beating each other at Scrabble, often.

John 14:1-6: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God[a]; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Gladys Irene Davis, age 85 of Kalamazoo, MI went to be with her Lord on Thursday, July 7, 2011. Irene was preceded in death by her husband, Richard, on May 13, 2004, her parents, Earl & Lora Kane, her brothers: Robert, Willard, Willis & Warren, her sisters, Verna & Sylvia, and her granddaughter, Erin McLean. She is survived by her children: Larry & Roberta Davis of Knoxville, Tennessee, Richard “Alan” & Bettie Davis of Sahuarita, Arizona, Daniel & Mary Davis of Lansing and Linda & David McLean of Kalamazoo; 11 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren; her sister, Bashie; her brothers, Kenneth, Linden, Paul & Lawrence; as well as numerous other relatives.

PLEASE NOTE THE LOCATIONS FOR VISITATION & SERVICE: Visit with her family and friends, view her life story film and share light refreshments on Thursday, July 14, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Life Story Funeral Home, PLAINWELL; 120 S. Woodhams (685-5881). A funeral service will be held on Friday, July 15, at 10:00 a.m. at Life Story Funeral Home, PORTAGE; 5975 Lovers Lane (344-5600). Please visit Irene’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you may share a memory, upload a photo and sign her online guest book before coming to the funeral home.