Linda Stevens Davis

Linda Stevens Davis, aged 65, of Dallas, Texas, beloved wife, daughter, Mom, and Grandmom, died at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, Arkansas on Wednesday, February 17, 2010, from complications of multiple myeloma. Linda was born on July 31, 1944 in Amarillo, Texas, to Mrs. Nona Merle Stevens and the late Grady N. Stevens. She attended Abilene High School and Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. While at Hardin-Simmons, she met and married her devoted husband of 44 years, Richard Philip Davis, on June 25, 1965. Both were active in the theater department, where they cultivated a love and appreciation for the theater. Linda's acting career culminated in 1969, when she performed the role of "Mother on the Bus" opposite Jon Voight in the Academy Award-winning film, Midnight Cowboy. A lifelong educator, Linda began her career in 1966 as an English teacher at Madison Junior High in Abilene, Texas. In 1973 she joined the Dallas Independent School District, where she worked in numerous positions, including teacher recruiter, vice principal, and principal. She retired from the district as Executive Director of Personnel in 2007 after over 34 years of service. Linda was a passionate reader and grammarian, and earned her Masters of Education at East Texas State University, now Texas A&M Commerce. She was a member of Park Cities Baptist Church for 37 years, and active with the American Kidney Foundation. Linda's life was guided by a belief in hard work, education, and the grace of God. She will be remembered as a loving and inspirational wife, daughter, mother, and grandmother, an empathetic friend and confidant, and a classy woman of intelligence and wit. Linda is survived by her husband, Phil; her mother, Mrs. Nona Merle Stevens; her son and daughter-in-law, Jordan and Natalie Davis; and her grandchildren, Avery and Brennan Davis. She is preceded in death by her brother, Grady Paul Stevens, and her father, Grady N. Stevens. Funeral services for Linda Davis will be held at 9:30 am on Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at Ellis Chapel at Park Cities Baptist Church, 3933 Northwest Parkway in Dallas, Texas. There will be a visitation on Monday, February 22, 2010 from 6:30 pm-8:30 pm at Restland Funeral Home, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, Texas.