Margaret L. Davis, 96, of Ola, passed away, April 26, 2020, at Dardanelle Nursing and Rehab Center where she had lived since August 1, 2017.  She was born March 24, 1924, in Walnut Springs, Texas, to the late Claude and Lena Miller.  She graduated from Walnut Springs High School.

She loved the Lord and became a Christian during her childhood, and attended First Baptist Church, Plainview, and in her later years attended New Life Outreach, Danville.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Sam Davis, great-grandsons Zeph Underwood and Dalton Davis, one sister, Lillie Mae Smith, and two brothers, Dub and Claudie Miller.

Survivors include her children, Gerald Davis (Lura) and Brenda Hale (Danny), four grandchildren, Tommy Davis (Teresa), Teresa Davis (Jennifer), Tracy Apple (Mike), and Chris Hale (Terra), and  ten great-grandchildren, Riley Noblett, Robert Daniel, Conlee (Katie), and Maebre Hale, Meagan Burke (Michael), Emily and Paden Davis, Hailey Davis, Layla and Callie Apple, and her two great-great-grandchildren, Addison Burke and Lukas Davis.  She was so proud that her family had reached five generations.

Margaret became Mrs. Sam Davis on August 6, 1941.  Three months later he was in the Navy and off to WW II.  She was a faithful and devoted wife.  Many times she mentioned many of the wives did not wait for their husbands, but she never wavered.  She worked at the telephone company some during that time, saving her money and buying a bedroom suite to surprise her husband when he returned.  Years later she nurtured her four year old son through polio in 1952, so epidemic is not a new word to her. Gerald is strong and healthy today.  The Davises early years were spent in West Texas.

Margaret had a big family and her greatest joy was being with family.

Most of her married life the family lived on the farm on Kingston Road, and she did a variety of things during that time.  She was a wonderful homemaker and cooked delicious food.  She was famous for her Christmas fruitcake, her wonderful fried pies,  biscuits, and cinnamon rolls.  She crocheted beautifully and had a green thumb when it came to gardening.  She was such a hard worker and never slowed down in keeping her home immaculate and enjoyed mowing the yard and freezing and canning things from the garden.  She picked cotton for several seasons  and bought registered cattle with her cotton money and built a little herd of registered cattle. That was the only time she worked away from the home, was in the cotton field. Brenda was a teenager, during that time, and inherited her mother's love for cooking and helped prepare meals.

In her later years she moved to Ola and enjoyed apartment life immensely and made many new friends along the way.  Oh how she loved going to flea markets, yard sales, and would sometimes take her lunch and stay all day. Every spot in her apartment was filled with shiny treasures, dolls, shoes, and clothes.  She loved music and would play her gospel tapes and records so loudly we could hardly hear to talk on the phone.  She would say, "let me go turn my music down."

She became well-known for walking very long distances, pushing her walker, and oh my, the treasures and bargains she would find and she was always excited to give away her "finds" to family members.  She loved to give things away.  She would sometimes walk to town two or three times a day. Carol Tippy, Brad Rose, and Terri Wells , and others (you know who you are) , thank you for your patience day after day.

A very sad time in her life was the loss of her great-grandsons, Zeph and Dalton.  She loved them so much and that loss broke her heart.  They are giving her a tour around heaven right now.

Our lives will never be the same without her, but we have to trust that God's timing is perfect.  She was stoic and brave through many changes in her later life, but at the end she was ready to meet her savior.  Our memories are our comfort and we know we will see her again one day in heaven.  She remained mentally sharp until the very end and died a peaceful death after a short illness.  Her doctor came to visit near the end and he said , "still bossy and calling the shots."  She was very spirited and determination isn't a strong enough word to describe her.  She never, ever, wanted to be a bother to anyone, and would try very hard to not ever ask for help.  She had some very strong traits, but a very tender and giving heart was included in these traits.

Momma, Grandma, Great-Grandma, Great-Great-Grandma, we will always love you and our hearts are sad, but in the arms of Jesus, we know you are happy.  Thank you for being a Proverbs 31 woman and our example in life in so many ways.

Graveside service will be held at Salem Cemetery, Plainview, Saturday, May 2, 2020, at 10:00 a.m., led by W. A. Gorman. Burial under the direction of Cornwell Funeral Home , Dardanelle.

Memorials may be made to New Life Outreach, 1503 AR-10, Belleville, AR 72824 or Salem Cemetery Fund, 10398 Forrest Lane, Ola, AR 72853.

The family wishes to thank DNRC staff and Dr. Westwood for the loving care that you gave her.  Her roommate Joyce Johnson, was a precious guardian angel, and Denise Taylor, you were a Godsend to our momma.  She is not in lockdown anymore!

Arrangements by Cornwell Funeral Home in Dardanelle. Online Guest Book and Condolences at www.cornwellfuneralhomes.com