Obituaries:  Mrs. James E. Davis, Sabine Parish       D-120
Source:  Sabine Index, Many, La., Feb 11, 1988
Submitted by: Ruth Estess
              r.estess@worldnet.att.net


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The Sabine Index

  Mrs. James E. Davis - February 11, 1988

  Final rites for Mrs. Helen Gillis Davis, 84, were held Monday,
Feb. 8, at 2 p.m. in Warren Meadows Chapel in Many. Mrs. Davis
died Feb. 6, 1988 at St. Paul Medical Center in Dallas. She had
been in poor health for several years.

  She was preceded in death by her husband, James E. Davis, who
died in 1966.

  The Rev. John Koelemay, former pastor of the Many United
Methodist Church, officiated at the service. The service included
two songs, "Jesus Is All The World To Me" and "How Great Thou
Art", sung by Mrs. Davis' sister, Mrs. Barbara Hoffpauir of
Crowley. The organist for the service was James Wilkins of
Dallas, a special friend of Mrs. Davis. The service concluded
with the dedication to the memory of Mrs. Davis of the "Minute
Waltz", written by Chopin and played by Van Cliburn.

  Mrs. Davis was laid to rest in Many Cemetery. Services were
under the direction of Warren Meadows Funeral Home.

  Mrs. Davis is best known for her love of music and she taught
music lessons privately in schools and in her home for 67 years,
beginning at the age of 17. Mrs. Davis was born in Caesar, Miss.

  She received the bachelor of music degree from Louisiana College
in 1924. In addition, she did graduate work at Louisiana State
University. Mrs. Davis taught school at several places including
Lena, Dry Prong, Oak Grove, and Oakdale.

  The Davises moved to Many in 1943, when Mr. Davis worked for the
Federal PMA program. They opened Pineland Chain Saw in the early
1950's and Mrs. Davis continued operating it after her husband's
death until she sold it in 1974.

  During World War II, Mrs. Davis would entertain soldiers at Ft.
Polk and at other area military camps. In addition she had a
music program over KALB radio in Alexandria during the war. She
was a former Deputy Sheriff and a notary public. She was
co-founder of the Many Music Art Club in the 1940's.

  Survivors include two daughters and one son-in-law, Peggy
Andelman of Garland, Tx. and Charles W. and Helen Auten of
Denton, Tx.; two sisters, Margaret Lewis of Alexandria and
Barbara Hoffpauir of Crowley, four grandchidlren, Kathlyn Auten
Yearsley and her husband Greg. Charles Auten III and his wife
Kathy, James Thornton Martinez and his wife Donna and Lee Tanner
Martinez.

  Pallbearers were three grandsons, Charles Auten III, Thornton
Martinez and Tanner Martinez, one grandson-in-law, Greg Yearsley
and four neighbors, Robby Land, Robert Ammons, Melvin Wright and
Robert Gentry.