Betty Joe Davis

Betty Joe Rawdon Davis, 98 years young, on Friday, May 16, 2025, passed away from this earthly life into her eternal home in Heaven. She was born in Akron, Ohio to Ira and Bertha (Whiteside) Rawdon. She and her husband, Steve Davis (deceased 1980), resided in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Betty lived alone up until one year ago when she fell and then required full-time care.

After being a stay-at-home mother for many years and a PTA president, Betty started working with her husband at their store/gas station until he passed away. Betty then went to work for NIT (National Institute of Technology) where she began as a housekeeper. She was soon promoted over the book room, but she did not stop there. Due to her diligence, attention to detail and hard work, she was promoted to secretary and then executive secretary to the director. She received many awards during her NIT career.

Betty enjoyed gardening, flowers, birds, Clemson football and spending time with her family. In her 70’s she was hiking the state parks. She especially loved talking on the phone and visiting with her sisters and sister-in-law over the years. On Saturday evenings you would find Betty enjoying the Gaither Vocal Band. Sunday mornings she was faithfully listening to the preaching of Rev. Charles Stanley and Rev. David Jeremiah. Betty’s greatest joy was being with her grandchildren and great grandchildren who lovingly called her GG. She enjoyed being part of their weddings, their graduations and their many activities over the years. When she could not be there in person, she delighted in seeing the pictures. She loved their pets (dogs, cats and horses, too). Most importantly she enjoyed their visits, looking at their most recent pictures, and receiving their artwork, crafts, handwritten notes and cards in the mail.

In addition to her parents, Betty is preceded in death by her husband, Stephen F. Davis Sr, her son Stephen F. Davis Jr, as well as siblings Ira Rawdon, Mary Doyle, Jack Rawdon, Robert Rawdon, Roy Rawdon, Fred Rawdon and Diana Weaver.

She will be sadly missed by her daughters Teri (Don) Beres, Paula (Dennis) Wolfe and Mary (Paul) Derhammer; daughter-in-law Lesley Davis; sisters Grace Ferguson, Patty Rawdon and Linda Hine; and sister-in-law Barbara Rawdon.

Her (13) grandchildren are Matthew (Braeton) Beres, Michael (Chris) Beres, Elizabeth (David) Tucker; Nick (Beth) Newell, Nathan (Jennifer) Newell, Jeff (Janet) Wolfe, Kim (Michael) Lease; Stephen (Rachel) Davis III, Desireah Davis; Michelle (Matt) Cole, Rachel (Joe) Piboontum, Paul (Shannen) Derhammer and Christine (Ryan) Ball.

Her (28) great grandchildren are Isaac, Megan and Jason Beres; Noah, Cooper, Anne Michael and William Beres; Elijah and Samuel Tucker; Vincent and Laureli Newell; Joey Newell; Matthew and Julie Wolfe; Felix Lease; Noah and Maya Davis; Victoria, Alexis, Jessica and Samuel Cole; Kai, Arianna and Declan Piboontum; Peyton, Parker and Wyatt Ball; and Casey Derhammer.

She had many nieces and nephews, and caring neighbors.

Visitation will be Friday, May 30, 2025, from 11am-12pm at Newcomer Akron Chapel (131 N Canton Road, Akron, Ohio) immediately followed by her funeral service at 12 noon. Betty has a handmade prayer shawl around her shoulders to remind us of the love and prayers she has been covered with especially throughout this last year. Betty will be laid to rest with her husband, Steve, at Northlawn Memorial Gardens (4724 State Road, Peninsula, Ohio).

To share a memory of Betty or leave a special message for family, please visit the guestbook below.