Jacqueline Krause Davis

Jacqueline (Jackie) Krause Davis, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, business woman, philanthropist and long-time civic volunteer passed, away Sunday, November 5, 2023 at St. Vincent’s Hospital.

Born August 8, 1934 in Evansville, IN to Helen Ritter Krause and Abraham Louis Krause, Jackie was a 1951 graduate of Benjamin Bosse High School in Evansville. A talented pianist, Jackie won the Evansville Junior Musician Club Scholarship, and she traveled to Chicago to play for Rudolph Ganz, the conductor of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Following high school, Jackie studied at Indiana University, where she pledged Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority. During her sophomore year, she met her future husband, Charles R. Davis, whom she married in September, 1953. The couple rented an apartment in Indianapolis, where Jackie briefly attended Butler University. When Charlie was drafted into the Army a few months later, Jackie moved to Fort Smith, Arkansas to remain close to her new husband. It was not long, however, before Charlie deployed to Misawa Air Force Base in Japan, where an Army private’s wife was not allowed to live on base. Returning to live with her parents and sister, Kaye, in Evansville, Jackie attended Evansville College for one year before moving back to Indianapolis when Charlie’s enlistment ended.

A skilled interior designer, Jackie founded Jackie Davis Interiors. Over the course of twenty years, she became a premier home designer in the Indianapolis area. She loved the talented members of her design team and enjoyed her work tremendously. She was especially honored to receive the Gold Key Award for the best decorated room at the St. Margaret’s Guild Decorators’ Show House.

Jackie gave selflessly to many Indianapolis organizations. A member of the Children’s Museum Guild, she modeled in their fall fashion show and served on the board. She was also a member and past president of the Christamore Aid Society, a member of the St. Margaret’s Guild, and served on the boards of the Indianapolis Civic Theatre and the American Pianists Association. Jackie also hosted numerous civic parties and fundraisers, and was a long-time volunteer for a multitude of Indianapolis agencies. Her generosity will be deeply missed.

Jackie was a strong and faithful presence to her three sons, Charles (Rick), Brad, and Mike, while also providing unfailing support to her husband, Charlie, in his many business dealings. An extraordinary hostess who could coordinate elaborate dinner parties on a moment’s notice, Jackie was most comfortable driving the boat at Lake Wawasee while her sons waterskied. In fact, Jackie’s most treasured memories were those from over fifty summers spent at their cottage at the lake with her sons and grandchildren.

For Jackie, the best part of any activity was the ability to enjoy it with good friends. She enjoyed playing tennis, snow skiing, and scuba diving, and was an accomplished bridge player. Jackie and Charlie were long-time members of Meridian Hills Country Club, Tippecanoe Country Club, and Grey Oaks Country Club in Naples. They were also members of Second Presbyterian Church. She also loved Harlan Steffen’s boat in services at Wawasee. Jackie participated and completed many phases of Bible Study Fellowship.

Charlie and Jackie traveled extensively around the globe, often with dear friends, to over 60 countries, including Russia, India, China and Kenya. Jackie’s quiet and gentle manner, combined with the more gregarious presence of her husband, led the couple to gain many new friends during those travels, most notably on a trip to Paris which Jackie fondly remembered as “magical.” Later in life, Jackie and Charlie became “snowbirds” and spent their winters in Naples, FL. They enjoyed their Venetian Village condominium there, from which they could walk to various shops and restaurants.

Married for over 70 years, Jackie felt she and Charlie lived a tremendous, blessed life. She was especially proud of her three sons and their families. Jackie is survived by her husband, Charles R. Davis, their three sons, Charles R. “Rick” (Julie), Bradley C. (Sonia), and Michael B. (Annette), grandchildren Chip, Matt, Will, Nick, Emily, Hannah, Caroline and Mary, and great-granddaughters, Madelyn Rose and Olivia Elizabeth. Jackie was very close to her dearly loved sister and best friend, Kaye Winings, and Kaye’s sons Chad and Nick, and their children. Jackie also loved and cherished her Aunt Rosie in Evansville, Indiana

Family and friends are invited to gather together to remember Jackie’s remarkable life on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at 2:00 pm at Second Presbyterian Church (7700 N. Meridian Street), with a Celebration of Life immediately following in the church. Her entombment will be with family on Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at Crown Hill Cemetery.

In tribute to her dedicated service to the community, contributions may be made, in lieu of flowers, to the Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital. Donations can be made online at give.stvincent.org/donate, or sent to the Ascension St. Vincent Foundation, 250 West 96th Street, Suite 470, Indianapolis, IN 46260.