Frances Roberts Davis

Frances Roberts Davis

Frances Roberts Davis, 74, of Ruckersville, passed peacefully on Sunday, August 8, 2010, at the Dogwood Village in Orange, Virginia, after a brief battle with cancer. She was surrounded by family members and loved ones at the time of her passing.

Frances was born on September 10, 1935, in Charlottesville, the daughter of the late James D. Roberts and Mabel King Roberts. She was also preceded in death by two brothers, James W. Roberts and Dallas K. Roberts.

Frances grew up in Charlottesville, where she graduated from Lane High School in 1954. On April 7, 1955, Frances married Earl F. Davis of Madison County. Together they had four sons whom they raised in Charlottesville. Frances was the kind of person who made everyone in her presence feel special, especially young children. Frances had a passion toward helping others. She supported various community charitable organizations through her tireless fundraising efforts.

That special caring was also seen in the roles she played in the Park Street Christian Church. Frances was a deaconess for many years. She volunteered to work with the youth of the church and participated in many of the church's other programs. Frances was one of the first members of the church.

Frances had a true affection for teaching and working with children. She was a teacher's assistant at Burnley Moran Elementary School for 20 years. She took great delight in helping children learn and grow. Her passion for arts and crafts was well-used in the school. In 1994, the Virginia Education Association recognized Frances for her dedication to the teaching profession.

Frances was an avid sports fan; she supported all local teams. She was particularly fond of the University of Virginia women's basketball team. Frances loved traveling and exploring various parts of the world. She had a love for nature and the outdoors. She spent many weekends camping and picnicking with family and friends.

She is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, Earl F. Davis; and their four sons, Douglas and his wife, Michelle, of Ruckersville, Wayne and his wife, Lucille, of Baltimore, Maryland, Nelson and his wife, Carol, of Salem, and Steven and his wife, Neta, of Earlysville. Frances is also survived by two granddaughters and six grandsons. Frances leaves behind her aunt, Cornelia Gibson of Crozet; her sisters, Barbara and her husband, Lyn Beasley, of Charlottesville, Virginia and her husband, Charlie Laurin, of Stuarts Draft, and Emma J. and her husband, Woody Houghton, of Waynesboro. In addition, she is survived by her brother, Calvin Roberts and his wife, Diane, of Staunton.

Frances is also survived by several in-laws, Billie and Joyce Davis of Orange County, Shirley and Dorothy Davis of Stanardsville, Marjorie and Marshall Foster of Pratts, Mary Shifflett of Aroda, Herbert and Arelene Davis of Baltimore, Maryland, Evelyn Roberts of North Gardens, and Betty Roberts of Nashville, Tennessee. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

Frances had the unique quality that made everyone feel comfortable in her presence. Her motherly affection will surely be missed by her family and many friends.

Frances' family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to the staff of Hope Cancer Center, Hospice of the Rapidan, and Dogwood Village for their caring support through her illness. Special thanks to Denise Haun of Home Instead for her loving and caring way.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, August 12, 2010, at the Preddy Funeral Home Chapel in Madison with interment at Walkers United Methodist Church Cemetery. The Reverend Larry Hastings will officiate.

The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Wednesday, August 11, 2010, at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Park Street Christian Church Renovation Project, 1200 Park Stree, Charlottesville, VA 22901.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.