Nelda Laverne Davis

Nelda LaVerne Davis, 85, of Stillwater, OK, formerly of Okmulgee, Oklahoma, passed away Tuesday, August 22, 2017. Like the lady she was, Nelda waited for the family to leave the room before departing.

Nelda was born in May, TX on August 23, 1931, the daughter of the late Helen Josephine (Plummer) and Herman Raleigh Nichols. She was a 1949 graduate of May High School where she both lettered in basketball and was crowned Homecoming Queen. That summer, Nelda caught the eye of Paul H. Davis while working the cash register at her Uncle Byron’s dry cleaning store. They later married on December 8, 1950. Paul was the love of her life. She adored “those blue eyes” and “that Davis smile.”

Nelda loved her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She set a rhythm to her life with prayer and daily Bible reading. In her 85 years she read the Bible through more than 50 times. Nelda was a lifetime member of First Baptist Church in Okmulgee, where she sang soprano in the choir and taught Sunday school. She was also a member of the service and social sorority Beta Sigma Phi. Nelda was part of the Gideon’s Auxiliary and never left the house without a pocket New Testament to give away.

Nelda was always up for anything, especially Braum’s hamburgers and rocky road ice cream. She was fearless and adventurous; overwhelmingly positive and quick to laugh. She had an opinionated eye for decorating, loved to play the piano, and was an accomplished seamstress.

More than anything, Nelda delighted in spending time with her family. She thought her children and grandchildren hung the moon. Nelda left no room for doubt that she unconditionally loved them.

Nelda, Mom, Mee-Maw: we will miss your tight hugs, your laughter, your endless compliments of our beauty and handsomeness, and your elegance.

Nelda is survived by her daughter, Mary Davis Bugg and husband John of Stillwater, OK; son, James David Davis and wife Nancy, of Kansas City, KS; sister, Gwenda Russell and husband Bob of Surprise, AZ; 6 grandchildren, Marquette, Ray, Matthew, Johnae, Natalie, and Nathan; and many other loving relatives.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Paul H. Davis; daughter, Linda Sue, son, John Paul; brother, Benny Roy Nichols; and sister, Kloy Simms.

Funeral Services will be 2:00 PM Friday, August 25, 2017 at First Baptist Church in Okmulgee, OK. Interment will follow at Okmulgee Cemetery. The family would like to invite friends to join them for a reception at the church prior to the service from 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm. Arrangements entrusted to Schaudt's Okmulgee Funeral Service. Family and friends may leave tributes at www.schaudtfuneralservice.com.