Patsy Davis

Patsy Jean Davis led a long and active life. Born the 30th of April 1931 to Jesse and Mabel Vines on a small ranch outside of Anthony Kansas, she was a middle child in a family of 7 children. She left home in 1945, to live with her older sister and brother-in-law, Jerry and Frank Dragoo. Frank gave her the first job she had ...as a waitress in the small diner owned by him and Jerry. That is where she met the man she would marry. In 1948, she joined her life with Guy W. Davis and never did they stray from one another. In May 1959, with their 3 young children, Patsy and her "Bill" moved to the Seattle area and the following Christmas, they celebrated the birth of their last child, Patricia Ann. Since then, the family has remained in the area of Renton and Kent, eventually owning two homes and raising 4 children. Patsy was tireless in her adventures. She had a deep seated love of education and community and was always a source of encouragement not only to her family, but to everyone she met. She volunteered whole hearted service in her church, to the mental health and rehabilitation community, and to Scouting. Through most of her life, she worked outside the home supplementing the family income. Patsy and Bill worked hard to give their family a full and safe life, a good home, and well-rounded educations. Patsy was fond of saying of her own father that he'd never met a stranger, only a friend-to-be. That was the truth of her life as well. She was ever quick to think the best of everyone, and help them along their path. She never stinted and was the first to step up ... look the situation over and come up with ways to just "Do It". Sometimes her solutions were a little more original than one expected, but always instructive. And in hindsight, always a good story. Patsy was an adventurous soul, and if in the latter part of her life, her insatiable curiosity took her down less conventional esoteric paths, she was wholehearted and defiant in her pursuits as are most explorers. And of course, she welcomed company and questions along the way. She was fearless when it came to her kids, kids who included those who befriended her own children. Patsy could, and did, go to the wall over and over for them. She commiserated ... cheered ... encouraged ... defended ... and challenged those around her on every level. In her busy life as a wife and mother, she also made time to be an avid activist. She was an ardent Democrat, arguing long and hard for Women's Rights years before it was fashionable. She was an active advocate for improved mental health care in this state and supported the new programs that were developed in our state's educational system. These included new methods for teaching challenged children of all ages and needs. She and Bill were both active in Scouting, at the regional as well as the community level. Patsy passed from this world in her sleep on February 8, 2018. To the end, she sought her beloved husband, Bill, who had gone before her on the 22nd of August, 2004. Possessed of a loving and generous spirit, Patsy will be long remembered and missed by those whose lives she enriched. She is survived by her daughters Diana Davis and Patricia Johnston, and sons Floyd Thomas Davis and Robin Davis, by nine grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. A many textured life, filled with shared laughter and tears, rousing debates, the contrary and unexpected. Oh the rich and colorful legacy she left behind her ... the stories to be shared! She would have loved to hear the telling of it!