Virginia Muriel Davis

Graceful and Kind, she cherished her family

As in life, with poise and grace, Virginia Muriel Davis passed away at her home in Centennial Colorado on January 3, 2022. By her side were her husband of 68 years and three children. She lived 86 wonderful years.

One of five children, she was born Virginia Muriel Spears in Rush Springs Oklahoma, on July 10, 1935. At 5 feet 9 inches, Muriel, as she preferred, was an all-state basketball player and a 1953 graduate of Rush Springs High School. She lived a selfless life predicated by a profound sense of fairness. As a proud member of the Silent Generation she exemplified the values of prudence, respect, determination and resilience. She topped that off with a daily dose of optimism and a remarkable sense of humor – her superpowers!

A keen eye and persistence paid off for Herman Royce Davis, her life’s best friend and husband. One spring day during a high school baseball game between their home towns, he spotted her from his position at second base. She was sitting in the bleachers amongst a group of girls from her school. While she was more interested in her friends than the game, he was more interested in her rather than the game. Distraction! An ingenious strategy deployed by a rival team to divert player attention? Maybe so. Nonetheless…it was a win-win. Her team won the game and, smartly, after the game he seized the moment and won the love of a lifetime.

As time passed the two grew to many. Three children, eight grandchildren and six great grand-children. She treasured her family. She spent many afternoons and evenings sitting in an auditorium, bleachers or standing on the sidelines inspiring and cheering on her children, grandchildren and eventually great-grandchildren, as they participated in their favorite sports and activities. The holidays, mainly Christmas was her favorite time of the year. That’s the time when she could have all of her family in one spot for a brief time. She grabbed those opportunities to express to each of her grandchildren a “secret”, “Don’t tell the others but, you’re my favorite!” Of course, when comparing notes, they discovered that Grandma told each one the exact same thing.

Finally, she loved to tell stories. She was masterful at spinning a five-minute tale into 15. Deliberate best describes her delivery, complete with numerous dramatic pauses. The kind of pause that lead to believe the story was over. Not yet! Just when you thought she was about to unveil the captivating conclusion, she would divert to, “Now, I said all that to say this…”. Another 10 minutes later she would conclude her story. But, if you were listening carefully enough, you might just learn something.

Muriel is survived by her husband Herman Royce Davis. Three children; Tony, Tim, and Lisa. Daughter-in-Laws; Barbara Quist, and Debbie Davis. Son-in-Law; Justin Jones. Eight grandchildren, their spouses and significant others. Colton Davis and Stephanie Davies, and Patrick and Kelsey Davis; Ashley and Chris Gustafson, Ethan and Kylie Davis and, Heath Davis and Maresha Lasiter; Jeremy and Lauren Jones, Jordan Jones and Desiree Potter, and Jacie Jones and Zac Brown. Great grand-children. Avery Davis. Owen, Henry (Hank), and Lucy Gustafson. Ellie and Charlotte (Charlie) Jones.

We are grateful for the assistance of Faith Presbyterian Church, 11373 East Alameda Avenue, Aurora, Colorado 80012 and Pastor Fred Stifel for their help in gathering our family and friends to honor and celebrate, her life well-lived. That celebration begins at 11:00am, January 27, 2022. Since she loved children we are asking for your condolences to become donations to be made in her name to Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation. Visit: www.supportchildrenscolorado.org.