Lorraine "Bayless" Davis

Lorraine (Bayless) Davis

Lorraine was born April 19, 1939, and died peacefully on August 3rd, 2025. The daughter of Christine (Hansen) and Robert Bayless, she was raised in Mansfield, Washington, surrounded by family, friends and wheat fields. After graduating as high school valedictorian, Lorraine headed to Washington State College (now WSU) where she met her soulmate, Rowland (Rolly) Davis. They were married on May 9th, 1959, and remained so for 60 years. Daughter Kristine and son Don completed the family in January 1960 and May 1961.

After college the Davis family lived in Coupeville and then Seattle, and in 1967 Rolly hired on with Pacific Alaskan Seafoods (later Peter Pan Seafoods – PPSF) and moved his young family to the remote fishing village King Cove, Alaska. While living in Alaska, Lorraine was a substitute teacher, worked in the cannery, and finally settled into working at the PPSF Company store for several years. Lorraine formed many close and lasting friendships during this time. In 1975 the family moved back to Coupeville, Washington. This began the yearly routine of summers in King Cove, and later Sand Point, Alaska, with the balance of the year spent in Coupeville, until Rolly retired in 2003.

Lorraine loved to travel with her family. Hawaii was a favorite destination, but she and Rolly also traveled as far as Fiji and the Galapagos islands. Lorraine also enjoyed road trips to visit family and friends and see other parts of the country. Later in life she still loved to go for car rides, just to "see the sights" and get out of the house. Lorraine was also an avid reader and if she didn't have a book in her hand, one was always within reach.

Lorraine lost the hearing in her left ear at age 19 and later the cause was determined to

be a benign tumor, resulting in brain surgery in 1969. Throughout her life Lorraine suffered with complications from the original surgery and subsequent brain surgeries. She bore it all with Nordic stoicism and a dry wit. Despite her hearing loss she was an excellent listener and a master of the art of conversation. Lorraine had a keen interest in people, a wonderful sense of humor, and a bit of a silly streak!

Lorraine was preceded in death by her parents Robert and Christine, and her beloved husband Rolly. She is survived by daughter Kristine (partner Joe) Black, son Don (Regina) Davis, grandchildren Grace and Sam Davis, step-grandson Brian Black, brothers Bill (Linda) and John (Ginny) Bayless, sisters Anna Rising and Bobbi (Dwaine) Schettler and many nieces and nephews.

Lorraine and Rowland believed that they had lived many prior lives together and were certain that they would continue to do so in the future. As they are now reunited, we plan to celebrate their lives together. The celebration of life for Lorraine and Rowland will be held on September 21st from 1-4 pm at the Nordic Hall in Coupeville.