Rebecca Elaine Gladden Davis

1923 - 2018

Rebecca Elaine Gladden Davis, 95, wife of the late Forrest M. Davis Jr., and resident of Onancock, Va., died peacefully on Sunday, April 22, 2018, at the Hermitage on the Eastern Shore. Born Jan. 17, 1923, she was the daughter of the late John Randolph Gladden and Sarah Elizabeth Downing Gladden. Educated in Accomack County, she was a graduate of Central High School, and Beacom College in Wilmington, Del. Following graduation, she worked with the United States Employee Service on the Eastern Shore and in Newport News, Va. Later she established the agency's office in Hampton, Va. On March 25, 1944, she married her high school sweetheart, Forrest Davis. Together, they shared 65 years of happiness, and a family now embracing four generations. Following World War II, Mr. and Mrs. Davis returned to the Eastern Shore and established Davis Oil Company in Onancock, Va. in 1956. A devoted member of Market Street United Methodist Church, Mrs. Davis served as a Sunday school teacher, an Altar Guild communion steward and a church trustee. She was a charter member of the Eastern Shore Yacht and Country Club and the Debedeavon Garden Club. She also served on the board of the Eastern Shore of Virginia Historical Society. In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by three sisters, Lois Gertrude Gladden, Audrey Gladden White and Ruth Gladden Spence; two brothers, Richard C. E. Gladden and John W. Gladden Jr.; two nephews, Vernon Gladden Spence and Gregory Gladden; and her special cousin, William T. Gladden Jr. Mrs. Davis is survived by her daughter, Trudy Davis Thompson and her husband Willard R. Thompson Jr. of Salisbury; her son, F. Mallory Davis III and his wife Lee Davis of Baltimore, Md.; three granddaughters, Catherine Thompson Monroe and her husband Fred of Charlotte, Elizabeth Thompson Myers and her husband Michael of Winston-Salem and Virginia Davis Horton and her husband Matthew of Orlando, Fla.; and five great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Nancy Windsor Davis; her special cousin, Bobby C. Gladden; her nieces, Natalie White Doub and Annette Gladden Keith; and her nephews, Rev. Dr. Richard K. Gladden and John W. Gladden. Her family offers sincere gratitude to Dr. Lloyd J. Kellam III for his years of devoted attention, the Hermitage nursing staff members for their care, and Chip Chandler for his unselfish friendship. Service & Visitation: A graveside funeral service will be held at the Davis Family Cemetery, Glebe Farm, in Davis Wharf, Va., on Thursday, April 26, 2018, at 11 a.m., with the Reverend Scott E. Davis, the Reverend J. Barton Weakley, and the Reverend Doctor Richard K. Gladden officiating. The family will receive friends at the home, 12 Kerr St., after 12:30 p.m. following the service, including anyone unable to attend the funeral. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to Market Street United Methodist Church, 75 Market St., Onancock, VA 23417, or to the Hermitage on the Eastern Shore Employee Fund, 23610 North St., Onancock, VA 23417. Memory tributes may be shared with the family at www.williamsfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements by the Williams-Onancock Funeral Home.