Beverly Davis

Beverly "Bev" Jane (Johnson) Barron Davis, age 101, of Salt Lake City, Utah, passed away peacefully on September 25, 2025.
Bev was born on April 9, 1924, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to David Orlando Johnson and Matilda Ruth Rupp. She was the third of five children, joining sisters Dorothy and Hazel, followed by siblings Donald and Lois - all of whom preceded her in death.
Although Bev was born on a rainy day, she was a cheerful soul with a sunny disposition. She preferred to see the positive in life and brought joy, fun, and friendship into the lives of all who knew her. She was often laughing, and it was said that "her laugh contained bells."
Bev did well in school. She enjoyed her studies and valued learning throughout her life, even enrolling in college classes in her later years simply because a subject interested her. Bev took pleasure in gifting books to others, with sweet, handwritten messages inside.
Bev remained an active person throughout her life, fondly recalling childhood days spent racing friends throughout the neighborhood and climbing trees. Her love of movement continued well into her later years - she tooled around on a bike into her 70s and walked and swam into her 90s. She maintained a strong commitment to health, growing vegetables in her large and well-known garden in Reno, Nevada. She also loved a good meal out with loved ones and friends, often ending with getting ice cream. Oh, how Bev loved ice cream ("just a wee little bit")!
Beverly married Quenten "Tex" Barron; they had two sons, Lannd (who passed in infancy) and Jon. After their marriage ended in divorce, Bev and Jon cherished their time living in San Francisco, where they shared adventures and enjoyed trying new, exotic cuisines, recalling some of their most fun times were had in China Town.
In 1962, in Sacramento, CA, Bev married Kenneth Davis, who had two sons, Bruce and Roger, from a previous marriage. Together, they blended their families and raised them in Reno, NV. Bev and Ken were active members of the Kerak Shrine Temple, making many lifelong friends.
Bev had an eye for fashion. She modeled in her younger years and later sold cosmetics at Auerbach's in Salt Lake City and men's clothing at Gray-Reid in Reno. She was known for her impeccable style and always looked stunning, whatever the occasion.
A devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Bev participated in church roadshows (often helping with costumes), found joy in service at the Reno Nevada Temple, and shared her testimony of her loving Heavenly Father and Savior regularly. She had a gift for connecting with others and was known for her spontaneous acts of kindness. If you knew Bev, you likely received a small treasure from her at some point - each one thoughtful and deeply personal.
Her family and friends hold an abundance of tender, fond memories of her. Bev was actively involved in the lives of her sons, her grandchildren, her great-grandchildren, and even her great-great-grandchildren. She loved to play with them, read to them, listen to them, and just be present with every opportunity. Bev loved to host dinners and parties and was a terrific cook. She made holidays special and memorable, down to the tiniest detail. For example: Valentine's Day meant big heart-shaped sugar cookies, cards, and other goodies. Halloween meant hot dog mummies, witches' fingers (breadsticks), and a "Spook Alley" in her loft with true spooks to scare and excite the little ones. Christmas trees were flocked and perfectly ornamented - they were very important to Bev. She created a Christmas tree to donate to the Festival of Trees for many years. She loved Christmas and always made it a special event. Bev made family time interesting and fun.
Bev made birthdays, anniversaries, and milestones special with handwritten cards and carefully chosen gifts. She was always serving others.
Her family fondly remembers her love of tacos (and her passionate disapproval of pre-formed shells!), treating others to dinners out, her humming of hymns, her favorite color pink, and her endless energy for adventures and socializing. Well into her 90s, she loved visiting the gym, going shopping, and visiting friends.
The COVID years were particularly difficult, as she missed being around others. Still, she remained strong and proud to reach her 101st birthday. She often said that her loved ones were the reason she stuck around - she truly lived for those she loved.
Bev is beloved and will be greatly missed.
Bev is preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, her sons Lannd and Jon, her former husband Tex, her husband Ken, and many other loved ones and friends.
She is lovingly remembered by her sons Bruce Davis (former wife Emily) and Roger Davis (Terry); former daughter-in-law Judith Plambeck Barron; grandchildren Jon Scott Barron (Rachelle), Timothy Barron (Wendy), Kate Barron Keddington (Eric), Melissa Davis, Tristan Davis (Nicole), and Bryce Davis; 18 great-grandchildren; and 7 great-great-grandchildren.
She leaves behind a legacy of faith, love, and service.
Funeral services will be held on October 14, 2025, at Jenkins-Soffe, 1007 W. South Jordan Parkway, South Jordan, UT 84095. Viewing from 10:00 to 10:30 a.m. | Funeral at 11:00 a.m.