Judith Davis

Judy was born in Indianapolis on April 19, 1918 to Francis A. (Frank) Preston and Frances L. (â€?"Granfan”) Allison Preston. She was proud of her Hoosier heritage equally with her Scots Presbyterian roots. She grew up on Central Avenue in the shadows of Tabernacle Presbyterian Church. She remained a member of that church, having been instrumental in the establishment of its Allison Christian Center, until her death at home on January 1st. While her health declined in recent years, she remained a font of knowledge, recalling family history and events from generations past going back to the presidency of Abraham Lincoln, whose family farm in Illinois was adjacent to the Allison family farm. Judy attributed her longevity not only to her genes, but also to the fact that as an infant she recovered from the deadly Spanish Influenzaâ€"a pandemic which claimed the lives of scores of millions worldwide. Growing up, Judy was the youngest in a three-generation household, which included her mother, a sister Elizabeth (â€?"Betty”), grandparents, an aunt and a cousin. She attended Orchard School, Shortridge High School as well as Tudor Hall. She graduated from Wells College in Aurora, New York. There she established many friendships, which lasted through the years and included several alumnae gatherings. But she was not so popular when she once caused the freezing and bursting of the water pipes in the dorm by sleeping with her windows open to the Finger Lakes winter. She met her husband to be, John L. Davis of Winchester, Kentucky while he was in the Army stationed in Indianapolis. They married in 1943 before John served in North Africa during World War II. Upon discharge, he and Judy made Indianapolis their home. They raised four children who survive: Stephen (Janice) Davis, Lee (Dolly) Davis, Scott (Pattie) Davis and Ruth Davis (Rollin +) Lasseter. In addition John’s niece Lucy T. (â€?"Tollie”) Whitt, now deceased, was under their roof for many years. The couple enjoyed many trips as well as golfing, all worked around the raising of the family and Judy’s gardening. Following John’s death in 1980, Judy traveled often to visit her children and grandchildren all of whom had scattered. Never sedentary, she enjoyed outdoor activities, ranging from sailing the Intracoastal Waterway to hiking the mountains of Colorado. For more than seventy years, Judy met with friends from her youth in a monthly luncheon â€" a gabbing and sewing group to which she gave the moniker, â€?"The Darn Yarners”. Judy created many enduring memories with scores of imaginatively designed and executed Christmas stockings for children, grandchildren and great grandchildrenâ€"as well as for her ever-present Labrador retriever, Cinder. Judy leaves behind a large and extended family which, in addition to her 4 children, includes 16 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews and their extended generations. In addition to her husband, most of her generation of friends and family, including her sister, Elizabeth Preston Wilson, predeceased her. Judy’s family is especially grateful to the team of attentive and caregivers, who became beloved friends and companions during her last years. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that Judy’s memory be honored by contributions to Indy Feral Inc., St. Vincent’s Hospice or another charity of choice. A Celebration of Life Service for family and friends will be held at 11 AM on Friday, 23 January at the Gothic Chapel in Crown Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Thursday, 22 January from 3PM to 5:30PM at the Gothic Chapel. Reverend John Gable, pastor of Tabernacle Presbyterian Church will officiate.