Ramona Marie Davidson

1940 - 2025

Ramona Marie Davidson, 85, of Hayesville, passed away at the Clay County Health & Rehabilitation Center on Friday, Dec. 26, 2025 after a long period of declining health. Born on Nov. 25, 1940 in San Diego, Calif., she was the daughter of Jacob Edgar Troup and Catherine Hazel Gregory Becker Kirk.
The daughter of a Radioman Chief Petty Officer (U.S. Navy) who was also a Pearl Harbor survivor, Ramona lived her early years in San Diego, Long Beach and Downey, Calif., eventually graduating from Millikan High School in Long Beach in 1959. After graduation, Ramona married her sweetheart, Gary Neal Davidson, on July 18, 1959, in Lakewood, Calif. They began their married life in Bellflower, Calif., and very soon started their family. Ramona was a loving mother, raising her three girls, as Gary worked in the steel industry providing for the new family. Eventually, Ramona and Gary bought a home and relocated to Norwalk, Calif. where they raised their children to adulthood. Ramona devoted herself full-time to raising and taking care of her young family, which she did with abundant love and care. Also, during this time, Ramona and Gary were devout and faithful members of Lakewood United Brethren Church in Lakewood for many decades. Ramona's church family meant everything to her. Her abundant love and adoration for her own children carried over into the service of her church and she was very close to her church family.
Ramona loved crafts, always having several projects including sewing, embroidery, crocheting, cross-stitching, etc. She often could be found working on various gifts which she lovingly prepared. Ramona was a rock for her children, her husband, her church and her community. As Gary's health began to decline, they moved closer to their oldest daughter, Louise, and built a home in Warne, N.C. around 2000 where they lived for more than 10 years. During this time, she devoted her time taking care of her husband, even when her own health made it very hard for her to do so. Eventually, due to both Ramona's and Gary's health issues, they both moved to the Clay County Health and Rehabilitation Center where they could receive the care that they needed. After her husband Gary passed away in 2013, Ramona remained in the care center, eventually becoming one of the longest term residents there. The care center staff lovingly attended to Ramona over the next 12 years, and she became part of their family with her endearing warm smile and her loving nature.
Ramona was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband Gary Neal Davidson; three daughters, Louise Marie Arnold, Catherine Holly Davidson and Susan Gay Davidson; and one granddaughter, Hannah Marie Arnold.
Ramona is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer Lynn Bagwell (John) of Minot, N.D., and another son-in-law, Paul Arnold, of Young Harris, Ga. Also surviving are a brother, Tommy Troup, and grandchildren Jessica Martin (Thomas), Jamie Riley (Stephen), Allison Arnold (Kyle Shuey) and Nathaniel Arnold (Idriya). Six great-grandchildren also survive.
The funeral service for Ramona will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16 at the Townson-Rose Funeral Home in Hayesville with visitation with family occurring at the funeral home beginning at 11 a.m. before the service. Interment will follow the service at Greenlawn Cemetery, Murphy, N.C.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Alzheimer's Association: alz.org.
Townson-Rose Funeral Home: townson-rose.com is in charge of all arrangements.