Edith Marie Davis, age 86, of Clinton, Missouri passed away Thursday, October 27, 2011 at her home. Graveside Services will be Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 4:30 p.m. at Parks Chapel Cemetery, Clinton. Family will receive friends from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday at Vansant-Mills Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to the Audio Books at Henry County Library and they may be left in care of Vansant-Mills Funeral Home. Fond memories may be left online at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com.

I was born December 2, 1924 to Lloyd Brantly and Edna Frances Aery in Grandview Arkansas, my grandparents William and Martha Aery, CD and Nina Frances Whitney, I was later joined by 2 sisters Kathleen (Kitty) and Faye. At an early age Kitty and I worked beside our Dad. In the spring time we would load rocks on a sled driven by mules, we did this for years, the rock piles are still on the Aery family farm (now in the 6th generation). When Kitty and I worked in the garden we each found a gold piece, the story went that the two Savage sisters that lived there had lost them out of a hem in their dress, we thought we were rich. I also remember getting a pie dish of fudge from my grandmother with a quarter in the middle for my birthday that was always a treat and having wilted lettuce at Christmas Dinner. We helped our daddy cut timber for the house and barn from the mountain. I can remember him hauling water from the spring to wash clothes; I often wondered how much was lost coming up the hill. One year when I was young and going to school I was able to ride the horse but the horse ran off and daddy said, no more, so I had to walk to school; you know up hill both ways snow to the top of the fence post. We had milk cows and sheep on the farm so that kept us busy but I did try smoking some grape vine and having a good friend, Hattie. Spent a lot of time on the mountain picking huckleberries, and would get up before daylight to go pick a gallon of blackberries miles away, Cracking walnuts and selling them to a merchant in town for a $1.00 a quart was a way of making some money,( wages was 10cents an hour). My momma had gone to school in Philadelphia for 2 years to become a nurse but came back to Grandview to marry daddy (love letters are still readable), neighbors would send for her when someone would be having a baby or was sick. My daddy was a farmer. They taught us what hard work was, and your word meant something as well as instilling the Christian faith.
I left Arkansas and married Willard in1942 and moved to Missouri a daughter was born which started my family: living in Kansas City and working at the Sunflower Ordnance Works, and Montgomery Wards. Divorced, I met O.D. and added 4 children. In '60 we moved to Clinton, Dave was transferred to Montrose power plant. We only lived there for a year then moved to a farm near Calhoun; there I met some life long friends, Paul and Ruby, along with Ray and Erika. Raising chickens, milking cows, growing a garden and canning, was still a big part of my life. In the spring of '64 we moved to a small farm near Tightwad where another good friend was found, Carol. In the winter time, crocheting and cracking walnuts or pecans became an enjoyment. At times our "discussions" became loud amusement to the neighbors and teenagers that came over to visit. After the kids grew I went to work outside the home, first at Chastain's then Golden Valley Hospital, I made a lot of memories as well as many friends there. I was needed at home again to take care of Dave and then his brother John. After their passing I took care of Ruth and Sonny, I was then called to take care of other people in the Clinton and Warsaw area. I enjoyed several trips to Colorado with Dixie and friends Paul, Gayle and their family, camping and fishing for trout; I also enjoyed going trout fishing with Georgia Logan at Bennett Springs. A lot of good memories were made with friends, Retna, Vi, Bonnie, Opal, Jim, Virginia, Evelyn, Mary, Jim & Tim. Sisters in law Roberta husband Maynard, Katie and husband Leo.

It is time now to join my parents & grand parents, sisters & their husbands, step daughter Peggy & husband Chuck, step son Dude, my grandsons Phillip, Bo, J.D., Brody Michael, & Craig; son in law John, daughter in law Wilda; Nephews, Tad & Fuzzy, lots of Aunts, Uncles, cousins, and friends.

I leave the following family members to carry on:

My daughter Dixie husband Bennie, children: Laurie husband Don Buck, Felicia, Angela, John, Abigail, &Rachael; Stephen friend Laura, children Nicholas & Katie; Lisa friend Donnie; Christopher children, Joshua & Isabella; Julie husband Fred Renfrow children Dusty & Chevy; Jennifer Williams children Heather husband Kevin Tucker, Lexus Williams, Austin Bruce, Tre', Jaelyn, Xavier, Jade Tucker & Rylee Day; Michael friend Susan, son Cameron; Jeremy wife Cindy daughter Casandra; Sarah husband Randal Smith children; Devon Smith , Seven Jones & Savanah; Jason wife Jessica, children Malachi, Isaac & Lily
My son, Buddy and Wilda's children: Marla, husband Marty, son Eric wife Jill granddaughter Lily; daughter Erin; Ronnie, wife Debbie, daughters Miranda, Bethany, grandson Kingston; Sherry, husband Bill, daughters Amber, Amanda, Amy & grandson Trace; John, wife Sharon, children Joe, Logan, & Alyson; Janet, husband Chris, daughters, Marti & Timber.
My daughter, Margie, friend Dean, her daughters; Debbie husband Mike, granddaughter Ashley grandson Wyatt: Tammy, friend Lee, granddaughter Zoie
My son, Dennis, wife Carla, daughter Brandy & granddaughter Layla
My daughter, Louise, friend Rob, Houk boys: Jeremy, David, Carl, wife Renee and Brayden; Jeff, wife Trisha, children Preston, Natalie, & Wrangler; Brian, friend Nikki
Nephews, Nieces: Bud, wife Jean, Robert, Larry, wife Barb, Joy, Gary & friend Mary, Great Nephews and Nieces: Eric, Derik; Amy; Ty wife Anne; Brady wife Heather, Trey wife Megan; Zach wife India; Megan, husband Bob; Melissa; Matt, wife Julie
Great- Great nephew and nieces; Skylee, Joe, Wyatt, Mackenzie, Cameron, Ada, Hunter, Brody. Allie
Dave's daughter, Carol Sue husband Lloyd, children Zana, Joy, Grady, & Marty;
Grand children from Peggy & Dude, Chuckie, Carol, Chris; Sandra Sue
Great Grand children, Sara, Ethan, Molly, Gage, Tristan, Daine, Reason, Courtney, Lance,

Don't cry for me for I am resting and enjoying the company of my family and friends,
I say, "tootle loo" for now.

Footnote from children: A very strong hard working woman, a loving mom who would do without just for us. Memories of pancakes for breakfast and every Sunday, fried chicken dinners; with rolls and pie. Mom you will be missed and thought of daily.