published in the pages of
West Plains Quill
Sept. 20, 1996
Mrs. Davis died at 2:45 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, 1996, at Willow Care Nursing Home at Willow Springs. She was born May 12, 1908, at Brandsville, the daughter of Doc Mulkey and Hannah Belle Parker Boone.
On Dec. 13, 1924, she married Richard Collins, who preceded her in death. On Aug. 19, 1972, she married Russell Davis.
Survivors include her husband, Russell, of the family home; two daughters, Dorthy Bunch and Opal Brixey, both of Willow Springs; three sons, Junior Collins, Donald Collins and Larry Collins, all of Willow Springs; six stepdaughters, Shirley Loman, Sue Davis and Beverly Colborn, all of Cabool, and Tillie Lowe, Willow Springs, Janice Echelberry, Laquey, and Leona Day, Mtn. Grove; two stepsons, Charlie Davis, Mansfield, and Joe Davis, Willow Springs; two sisters, Ethel Collins, Crocker, and Nancy Poteet, warrenton; 29 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, one daughter, Wilma JeanHicks; one son, Hershel Collins; one stepson, Basil Davis; and five sisters.
Burial will be in the Flat Rock Cemetery under the direction of Hiler Funeral Home.
Russell Davis was born on March 29, 1919 in Douglas County, Missouri, the son of Charley and Matt Louise Collins Davis. He departed this life on July 5, 1998 at the Ozarks Medical Center in West Plains, Missouri at the age of 85 years, 3 months and 6 days.
He was united in marriage to Thelma Sue Clinton on August 6, 1938 and to this union nine children were born. Thelma preceded him in death on April 20, 1970. Russell then married Deloris Lillymae Boone Collins on August 19, 1972. She preceded him in death on September 19, 1996.
Russell was also preceded in death by one son, Basil Davis, on son-in-law, Gary Echelberry, four sisters and six brothers.
Russell was a kind and loving person who loved his family and friends and was always there to lend a helping hand to those in need.
He will be sadly missed by his six daughters, Shirley Loman of Cabool, Mo, Tillie Lowe of Willow Springs, MO, Janice Echelberry of Laquey, MO, Sue Davis of Cabool, Leona Day of Mountain Grove, MO, Beverly Colborn of Cabool; two sons, Charlie Davis of Mansfield, MO and Joe Davis of Willow Springs; two step-daughters, Dorothy Bunch and Opal Brixey both of Willow Springs; three step-sons, Junior Collins, Donald Collins, and Larry Collins all of Willow Springs; 29 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren; 10 great great grandchildren and many more relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held July 8, 1998 at 10 a.m. at Flat Rock Church with Rev. Doug Brower officiating. Burial will be at Flat Rock Cemetery under the directions of Hiler Funeral Home.
Pallbearers:
David Lowe
Leon Loman
Michael Lowe
Junior Davis
Larry Joe Davis
Steve Echelberry