Mary Baker Davis

Obituary of Mary Louise Baker Davis

MARY LOUISE BAKER DAVIS, 88 Mary Louise Baker Davis (known as Lou by everyone) passed away May 24, 2012 at her home in Provo, Utah. Lou was born February 7, 1924 in Zanesville, Ohio to Robert Jacob Baker and Elizabeth Justine Pearsall Baker. She had one sister, Elizabeth Jane Baker Van Valen, who previously deceased her. Lou graduated from Sullins College in Bristol, Virginia and shortly after married her husband of 49 years, Edward Roland Davis, on June 12, 1943 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. At a young age, Lou was quite a sportswoman, especially swimming & horseback riding. She continued these hobbies throughout her life along with her love of gardening, traveling, knitting and handwork. For many years while living in Carpinteria, California, Lou raised over 40 orchid plants. However, her great love and interest was her family, her husband Ed, her two children Bob and Cheryl, and eventually her many beloved grandchildren. In 1950, the family moved from Ohio to Whittier, California where Lou and Ed raised their children and became involved with several youth organizations. When Ed was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease at the young age of 58, they moved to the Santa Barbara, California area where Lou became involved with the Alzheimer's Association. Lou ultimately served as President of the Santa Barbara Chapter which assisted several other counties, and was instrumental in guiding the development of the Alzheimer's Respite Caregivers Training Program. Lou became a well-known speaker on the disease and over the years gave innumerable in-service training programs at various skilled nursing facilities. Although giving care to her own husband stricken with Alzheimer's, Lou was never too busy to help others. She was known as a pioneer and advocate in bringing knowledge and help to the Santa Barbara area concerning Alzheimer's. Following her husband's death in 1992, Lou continued to involve herself in the community, and at that time also became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, serving in various church capacities. In 2006, Lou moved to Utah to be closer to her daughter and became a resident at the Courtyard at Jamestown in Provo, a beautiful assisted living home where Lou made many wonderful friends. In 2011, Lou was presented with a special award in Utah honoring her many years of service helping to facilitate programs on behalf of Alzheimer's Disease, she now a victim of this disease. On May 24, 2012, Lou passed away with loving members of her family at her bedside. Surviving Lou are her two children, Robert E. Davis (Dianna) and Cheryl Davis Hilliard (Mike); 13 grandchildren, Matthew D. Marquis (Ann), Chad R. Marquis (Kim), Michelle Marquis Gardner (Robert), Adam E. Marquis (Melissa), Christopher R. Marquis (Courtney), Amanda Marquis (deceased), Danelle Davis Barker (Bob), Robert E. Davis (Emily), Debbie Davis Ray, Melannie Davis Emerson (Aaron), Brian James Davis (Andrea), Melissa Davis Spratt (Byron), and Christopher Davis. Also surviving Lou are 26 great grandchildren and two gt-gt-grandchildren. Services will be held at the Santa Barbara LDS Church, 2107 Santa Barbara St. on Friday, June 8, 2012 at 1:00, viewing to start at 11:00 before the funeral at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Santa Barbara Alzheimer's Chapter in Lou's memory. Arrangements by McDermott-Crockett Mortuary
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