Barbara Gail Hutson Davis

DAVIS Barbara Gail Hutson Davis passed away in her sleep on Friday, July 8, 2011 in the company of her daughter. She was preceded in her death by her dear husband, Jack Ramon Davis and her parents, Carl Eugene Hutson and Jessie Mae Smith Hutson. She is survived by her daughter, Jennifer Davis Kenwood, her son-in-law, Clifford Kenwood, her beloved grandchildren: Ivy Amelia Kenwood and Jack Edward Kenwood, and her loyal dog, Clancy. Barbara was born on October 1, 1934 in Paducah, KY, and her family escaped the Ohio River Flood of 1937 on a small boat, paddling among the tree tops. They moved to Brookhaven, MS, where they started an innovative small dairy farm. Greenview Dairy was the first in Mississippi to use border collies for cattle herding, and one of the first farms to be electrified. Barbara attended Heucks Retreat school, graduating at age 15. She then attended Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Columbia University and graduated from Bellhaven College. She married Jack Davis in 1957 on the Mississippi River bluffs in Natchez, MS. They enjoyed living in Uptown New Orleans, New York City and multiple European cities while Jack pursued his opera career. They returned to the New Orleans area in the early 1970s to raise their daughter, and lived in River Ridge. Barbara was an avid reader, animal lover, gourmet cook, and a lover of theatre and music. As a member of All Saints Episcopal Church in River Ridge, she helped compile and edit the first edition of the successful La Bonne Cuisine cookbook, which has sold over 160,000 copies, with the proceeds benefiting the church. She was a wonderful mother to Jennie, and was involved in her schooling as a room mother and a Girl Scout leader. She also drove Jennie to countless volunteer hours at Audubon Zoo, and was immensely proud when Jennie became a veterinarian. Her grandchildren brought her great pleasure, and she loved showing them off to her friends and residents at Lambeth House. She worked at Tulane University School of Medicine, Martha Ann Samuel Realty, All Saints Episcopal Church, and St. George's Episcopal Church. The family is grateful to the staff of Lambeth House, and Ms. Trinice McMillon for the excellent and kind care they provided to Barbara. A Memorial Service will be held Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at All Saints Episcopal Church, 100 Rex Drive, River Ridge, LA, with visitation at 1:00 p.m. and a service at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the Louisiana SPCA (www.la-spca.org).