Sherry Lee Davidson

1946 - 2018

Sherry Lee (Smith) Davidson

Speedway - Longtime Speedway resident Sherry Lee Davidson went home to be with our Lord last Saturday (Jan. 20). She was 71 years old.

Born in Columbus, Ohio, on Aug. 8, 1946, Sherry graduated from Eastmore High School in 1964 and later earned two degrees in interior design. In 1966 she met the love of her life, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Historian (then USAC Statistician) Donald Davidson, while he was passing through Columbus on his way to a race in Trenton, N.J. Eventually Sherry moved to Indianapolis, married Donald, and became a devoted homemaker and mother.

An avid reader, with a particular affinity for science-fiction and horror novels, Sherry averaged about a book a day for many decades. Also a lifelong learner with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, she digested an unfathomably vast amount of nonfiction. The depth of her knowledge always became painfully evident to anyone who happened to be in her company during broadcasts of Jeopardy! (they invariably would become intimidated because she would read the clue so fast that she'd fire off the answer before anyone else had been given a fair chance to even hear the clue, let alone have time to consider what the answer may be).

Other television shows close to her heart included Star Trek, Bewitched, My Three Sons and I Love Lucy. She also loved Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, flea markets, antique shops, movies and dining out.

Professionally, Sherry was a talented and experienced editor and writer, assisting her husband with many of his projects over the years. In addition, she was a truly magnificent poet.

Possessed of a kind and loving heart, Sherry was a generous giver, as anyone fortunate enough to call her a close friend would testify. She believed in Jesus, lived in such a fashion as to glorify Him, and always made sure that she was in a position to contribute to her favorite charitable causes.

Sherry was preceded in death by her parents, Kirman and Mary (Falcone) Smith; a sister, Karen Smith; and one grandchild. Survivors include her husband, Donald; children, Tim Davidson, Heather (John) Binger, Natalie (Michael) Ranjbar and Allison Davidson; and five grandchildren, including Abraham, Serafina, Benjamin and Rosalie Ranjbar.

She passed peacefully at Northwest Healthcare Center after battling brain cancer for a year and a half. Her family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to the staff there for the expert and loving care that they provided during her brief stay.

Conkle Funeral Home, Speedway Chapel, is handling arrangements, which do not include public services. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or to benefit brain-cancer research. Online condolences may be shared at www.conklefuneralhome.com.