Francis Sammons Davis

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ORANGEVILLE – Francis (Frankie) Sammons Davis passed away April 7, 2013 after a valiant struggle against Alzheimer’s disease with her faithful companion of 61 years, Jack J. Davis, by her side.
Born Dec. 18, 1933 in Louisa, Ky., Frankie was a woman of incredible beauty, wild emotion, fierce loyalty, overwhelming love and iron will who was proud to be a Red Rose girl from Kentucky and of her Cherokee Indian heritage, family and upbringing. At an early age her family moved from the poverty belt of the Appalachian Mountains in search of a better life in Princeton, W. Va.
It was there she met her lifelong companion while he served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Jack J. Davis returned for her after his mission was honorably served and the two were married on March 29, 1952 and later solemnized in the Logan Temple.
Their path together was long and winding and filled with love, sorrow, struggles and triumphs. They raised seven children together and somehow through the years the incredible, dark-haired beauty from Kentucky and the lanky farm boy from North Carolina ended up in Emery County, Utah.
Frankie served in numerous church callings throughout her life and especially enjoyed serving with the youth. She had a magic ability with nature and could bring forth life with her soft touch and gentle smile. Her garden and grape vines were a subject of particular joy for her and consternation for her husband. She loved everything about being outdoors and nature and was always in search of a stray she could comfort. Her smile was infectious and the disease that stripped her of her memories and life could never destroy the beauty of that smile.
Perhaps her greatest joy was in being a grandmother and for her grandchildren there was nothing better than going to Grandma’s house, because every wish for treats would be granted and every desire indulged, despite (or perhaps in spite) of their parents’ wishes. Everything at Grandma’s tasted better, smelled better and felt better. She was the giver of the greatest hugs and would not tolerate anything other than a two-armed hug. When you hugged Grandma, you’d better be prepared to dislocate a rib or two.
Preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and a sister, her daughter (Karen), a son-in-law and a great-grandson. Survived by her husband Jack J. Davis, daughters Carol (Thayne) Cox, Orangeville; Cathy (Brent) Hardee, Castle Dale; sons Jack J. (Debbie) Davis Jr., Green River, Wyo.; James L. (Colleen) Davis, Spanish Fork, Utah; Jonathan Q (Lauri) Davis, Herriman, Utah; and Joshua T. (Melanie) Davis, Orangeville, 26 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.
Special gratitude is expressed by the family to Carma and Becky of Maple Creek Home Health and Hospice for the dedication and compassion they provided in making her final days more comfortable. Words cannot express the gratitude the family feels for your efforts.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, April 12, 2013, at the Orangeville Second Ward, 45 West 100 South, Orangeville, Utah. Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral. Interment will follow in the Orangeville City Cemetery under the trusted care of the Heritage Funeral Home. Family and friends may sign the guestbook and share memories at heritagefuneralhomeutah.com.