Jessie May Davis' Obituary
CHARLESTON, IL - Jessie May Davis, age 87 of Charleston, passed away on Saturday, September 14, 2013 at her home. Visitation will be held Wednesday morning, September 18, 2013 from 9:30 - 11:30 at Enon Baptist Church, located near Ashmore. Funeral Services honoring and celebrating her life will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday at the church with Pastor Wayne Carrigan officiating. Burial will follow in the Enon Cemetery. It is requested that thoughtful donations in her honor be made to the Enon Baptist Church. Gifts may be left on the memorial table at the visitation or service or may be mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920. May was born on November 19, 1925 in Ashmore, a daughter of the late Jesse and Neona (Johnson) Coartney. She married Fred M. Davis on April 30, 1947 in Charleston and they were married 25 years prior to his death on June 17, 1975. She is survived by three loving and devoted children, Marlene Ashby and husband Michael of Carol Stream, IL, Phil Davis and special friend Cheryl Roberts, and Loretta Buell and husband Marty, all of Charleston; seven grandchildren, Chad (Michelle) Ashby, Jenny (Jason) Uhlmann, Jesse Davis, Steffanie Davis, Ashley Davis, Natalie (Chris) Holloway and Mandy (Jon) Seiler; and six great-grandchildren, Ellie and Grace Ashby, Jacob, Olivia and JT Uhlmann, and Kinser Holloway. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Kenneth and Robert Coartney and a sister, Catherine McGahan. May was a statistical researcher for the Illinois Department of Agriculture. It was a job she held for 25 years and one that suited her well as she was actively involved in farming for most of her life. She was a member of the Coles County Farm Bureau Women's Committee as well as Home Extension and the University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Councils. She was a supporter of the local 4-H program and served as leader of the Rardin Readies. May was a life-long member of the Enon Baptist Church and was but a young girl when she joined the church which her father helped to build. May loved to garden and enjoyed spending time tending to her flowers. She would also crochet in her spare time and was an avid reader, especially of farm related magazines - she always kept up with changes and news in the area of agriculture. For May, life revolved around her family as she followed and participated in the lives of her children and grandchildren with great interest and affection. She dearly loved each of them and cared about their activities - she always knew what was important and meaningful in their lives. Her devotion and love for her family was often demonstrated through the wonderful meals which were so lovingly prepared. She was a marvelous cook and would prepare everyone's favorite foods. ""Grandma May"" as she was affectionately called, knew how to create a smile with her homemade pies, birthday cakes and noodles, in addition to her signature dish - banana pudding! May blessed her family with a love and affection that knew no boundaries. She will always be fondly and lovingly remembered as they treasure their many fond memories.
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