Davida Elizabeth Symonds

1920 - 2021

Sept. 27, 1920 - May 28, 2021 Davida Elizabeth Symonds died on Friday, May 28, 2021, after more than a 100 years of a well lived life. She was born in Wellington, Texas on September 27, 1920. She moved, as a young child, with her mother and father, Werta and John Ingram, and her two older brothers, Frank and John to Burbank, California. She attended and graduated in 1937 from Burbank High School and went on to study at Glendale Community College and graduated with an A. A. Degree in 1939. She began working at a local bank where she met the love of her life, Robert Gregg Symonds and they were married on August 31, 1941. In 1943, their first daughter was born. After her husband returned from the Pacific, they had another daughter and a son. After the end of World War II, Davida continued her education at L. A. Trade Technical Junior College, Pierce Junior College and Loyola University where she was trained in engineering math. In 1951 she was employed by Hughes Aircraft, beginning as a draftsman, then left Hughes and was employed by Radioplane Company and then The Steven's Company where she was a Design Engineer. She worked in Research and Development of missiles and production of drones, so she was truly a woman before her time. In 1962 she decided to further her education, and enrolled at Cal State Northridge and graduated in 1966 with a BA in Art. She began to use her new skills in furniture design and production, weaving, jewelry, pottery and produced many items that still grace a number of homes today. After her children moved on in their lives, Davida and Gregg began to travel throughout the world, with both friends and family. They used all modes of travel, their personal plane, commercial aircraft and their motorhome. While traveling the world they visited almost the entire globe. On one of their first trips to Asia they were part of a group who traveled to China, shortly after it opened its borders to foreign travelers. Probably their most favorite traveling was done in one of many motor homes, visiting family and friends throughout the United States, Mexico and Canada. After retiring from working and finishing up with her formal education, she took on another field of interest: Genealogy. She has done an in-depth study of both the Ingram and Symonds families and has researched ancestors and linked them to the early colonization of America. During their travels and to document her research, Davida and Gregg visited historical societies, museums, various cemeteries and distant relatives in the USA, England, Ireland and Scotland. In pursuing her interest, she was invited to join the Board of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and enjoyed serving several terms. Davida will be remembered for her smart wit, curiosity, tenacity, and love of family. She was predeceased by her husband, Gregg, who died in 2012. She is survived by her two daughters, Marilyn Dee Buchanan (Gene), Carole Louise Daly (Jim) and a son, David Allen Symonds, ten grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. A private memorial service was held for close family members on July 3, 2021. She will be missed by all who knew her.