Ann Christian Davis

Ann Nichols (Christian) Davis, 84, of Lancaster, SC, died peacefully at home on August 15, 2023. She was preceded in death by her father, mother, and husband of 60 years, Wade Leon Davis, who died on December 19, 2022. Ann is survived by her four children and their spouses: Reid Hampton Davis and Rhonda; Michael Scott Davis and Michelle; Bryson Wade Davis and Amy; and Rachel Jane (Davis) Teague and Brady. Ann had 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Born in Salisbury, NC, on October 18, 1938, Ann was the only child of Mr. Murray Maddox Christian and Mrs. Kate Inez (Nichols) Christian. As a young child, after her parents divorced, she and her mother moved to Mount Airy, NC, where they lived with her maternal grandmother, Mary Etta (Laster) Nichols, and other family members. Ann adored her grandmother and often credited her for her reverence for God and love of gardening.

Many of Ann's favorite memories and lifelong friendships were formed at Mount Airy High School. Here, she met Leon, and they began dating; he was a year ahead of her. Ann enjoyed painting sets and performing in theater productions and singing and traveling with the Glee Club. She was nominated for "Miss Mount Airy High" and twice crowned "Queen of Hearts" (as a sophomore and junior), at the Valentine dance sponsored by the YMCA. Ann entered the "Miss Mount Airy" pageant at 16 and had herself filmed, water skiing, for the talent portion of the pageant, but the unexpected death of her father led her to withdraw from the competition. In addition to water skiing and swimming, Ann loved to dance. In fact, Ann and Leon were equally talented dancers and enjoyed dancing together, throughout their lives. There were many family gatherings where their dancing would delight their children and grandchildren. Later in life, they began square dancing and joined a local club. Other pastimes Ann enjoyed were gardening, attending church and fellowshipping with their Sunday School friends, playing card games (especially Bridge), Rummicube, Dominoes, Backgammon, and Chinese Checkers. She loved listening to music (worship, hymns, classical, and Elvis), reading, politics, watching classic movies, and watching the Carolina Panthers. Ann held memberships with the SC Native Plant Society, the Garden Club of Weddington, and Wing Haven, a historic garden and bird sanctuary.

Ann attended Wake Forest University for one year after graduating high school. She went on to attend the School of X-Ray Technology at the Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, NC, scoring the highest grade in the state on her entrance exam. After graduation, she was asked to teach anatomy classes and eventually accepted a job at the hospital radiology department, in Shreveport, LA. Shortly after marriage, Ann and Leon managed an apartment complex while living in CA, while Leon was stationed in the Navy, nearby. After the birth of Ann and Leon's third son and before the birth of their daughter, Ann's beloved mother, Kate, came to live with the family and remained with them until her death. In the early 1980's, after raising her four children alongside her mother, Ann went to work with Leon at his law practice and helped him transition his practice to their home in the late 1990's.

Ann and Leon were married on June 24, 1962, at the First Presbyterian Church, in Mount Airy, NC. They were able to celebrate 60 wonderful years of marriage, together. Their relationship reflected a shared, deep love for one another, honor, commitment, forgiveness, and humor.

Accepting Christ at a young age, Ann had an abiding faith throughout her life and wanted all to know she is with the Lord. A memorial service and celebration of Ann's life will be held on Saturday, September 9, at 3pm, at Weddington Methodist Church (13901 Providence Road, Weddington, NC, 28104) The family welcomes you to a reception immediately following the service, in the Fellowship Hall, directly across the street from the church. Ann's detailed obituary, including space for those wanting to leave their own memories and comments, can be found on the Heritage Funeral Home's website (www.heritagecares.com), under "Funerals & Obituaries." In lieu of flowers and in Ann's honor, donations can be made to your favorite charity. In closing, the creed by which Ann lived was, "Trust in the Lord in all things, love others, and protect the voiceless."