Marcella Lynn Davis

ALEXANDRIA, IN – Marcella Lynn Davis passed away on August 29, 2025, at Community Hospital after various long-term and short-term illnesses.
She was born on January 20, 1956, in Anderson to Louis and Wannena (Clark) Fridley. She attended Cunningham Elementary and Alexandria-Monroe High School, later enrolling at Ivy Tech College in Anderson to earn a Computer Degree.
In her "good ol' days," Marcella lived between Middletown, Alexandria, and Orestes, Indiana. She spent four years in Homosassa, FL; Old Homosassa, FL; and Crystal River, FL, with her husband John and their three older children. When she returned to Alexandria, she knelt down, kissed the ground, and said, "Thank God we're back HOME again!"
Marcella's work history included: Friendly's Restaurant (waitress/cashier) – Alexandria, IN (1973–1974), Red Gold – (1975–1976), Alexandria Box Factory (cage) – (1980), K-Mart (stock/cashier) – Florida (1984–1986), Huntley Jiffy (cashier) – Crystal River, Homosassa, and Old Homosassa, FL (1986), Village Pantry (cashier/donuts) – Alexandria, IN (1986–1987), Lane Bryant Clothing (data entry) – Fishers, IN (1992), Family Dollar (cashier/stock) – Elwood, IN (1993), Secretary – Painters Local Union Hall, Chesterfield, IN (1994)
Marcella had many hobbies and interests over the years-besides drinking Coca-Cola, smoking cigarettes, and using computers. Her favorite thing to do outside was, also enjoying a Coke and cigarette's (lol). She loved growing heirloom tomatoes, especially beefsteak varieties, along with many other fruits and vegetables. She also kept cactus and various houseplants. One of her favorite plants, a cherry tree given to her decades ago by Ed and Kim Johnston, has now grown over 30 feet tall next to deep hugelkultur beds.
She enjoyed her pond and watching the koi, bluegill, goldfish, bullfrogs, leopard frogs, tree frogs, dragonflies, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Marcella was a member of the Alexandria-Monroe Township Historical Society for approximately 20 years, beginning in 1986. She especially loved the gooseberry pies that Margaret Gosnell made for the Society dinners.
Marcella began working on her family's genealogy in July 1986 at the request of her Aunt Ella-Mae Fridley of Markleville, IN. She also volunteered at the ERF in Alexandria when she could.
Marcella and John would go to the Baptist Church in Orestes on Tuesday nights and listen to Pick'in-n-Grin'in Music, Marcella loved to hear the harmonica playing Red River Valley, a favorite of her step-father Lyn (Elly) Ryan. She loved the Old Rugged Cross, a favorite of her grandmother Hazel (Webb) Clark, DeWitt.
She was the mother of six children: Johnny Lee Bench (Kelly) Davis, Crystal DeAnn (Mark) Deckard, Joey Phillip Davis, Jerry Louis Davis (twins), Jeremy Lyn Davis, and Jetlan Davis.
Grandmother of nine: Karrie (Justin) Shipley, Kasey Davis, Katelyn Davis, Royce Beeman, Ceenan Ellis, Caneena Beeman, Samantha Deckard, Tiffany Deckard, and Christopher Deckard.
Great-grandmother of several cherished children.
Marcella was the daughter of Wannena Joan Ryan of Elwood, IN, and Louis Wilfred Fridley of Middletown, IN, and the stepdaughter from the age of 2 months of Lyn (Elly) B. Ryan of Alexandria, IN. She leaves behind two sisters and two brothers, along with their spouses: Bernitta (Fred) Savage, Veneda (Joe) Thurber, Dolphy (Missy) Ryan, and Mickey (Tami) Ryan; three sons: Johnny, Jeremy, and Jetlan; and two of her ex-husband's dogs.
She was preceded in death by: ex-husband John Davis (2022); father Louis Wilfred Fridley (2025); mother Wannena Joan Ryan (2012); sister Christine Fridley; sons Joey and Jerry Davis (twins, 1976); stepfather Lyn (Elly) Ryan (1991); grandmother Hazel B. (Webb) Clark DeWitt (1971); former in-laws Lillian F. (Fern) Davis (1989) and Phillip F. (Phil) Davis of Orestes, IN (1992); along with several aunts, uncles, and her deeply missed nephew, Austin Ryan, as well as Sister in law: Patrica Rush, Brothers in law: Danny Davis and Jimmie Walden.
Marcella married John Franklin Davis on January 26, 1974, in Orestes, IN, officiated by Pastor Paul Taylor. She divorced him in 2018 after suffering heart attacks and a stroke that left her with cognitive decline. Following her first heart attack in 2013, she endured two more heart attacks and a debilitating stroke by October 2015. This led to further health decline, changes in judgment, and altered perceptions. These challenges sometimes caused misunderstandings with those who loved her most, even as they made significant sacrifices to care for her.
Decisions made later in Marcella's life were responses to serious circumstances not visible to the public or to many people she knew. Since 2016, she lived in various households, including with her father, close family members, extended family, long-time friends, and newly made friends. Her immediate family always wished circumstances could have been different. While illness created distance in her later years, Marcella is most fondly remembered for the life she lived before these challenges.
The family would like to give special thanks to those who helped Marcella along her more recent journey, including (but not limited to): Susan Fowler, Beth Baugh, Krystal Martin, and Kayla Morgan
Marcella's care and simple cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Owens Funeral Home in Alexandria. A Celebration of Life gathering will be announced at a future date by the family.