Wanda McCright Davis

Wanda Elizabeth McCright Davis, 81, of Germantown, Tennessee passed away peacefully at her home. She was born in Baxley, Georgia to the late George W. McCright and Annie Lois Clark McCright. She graduated from Waycross High School in 1959 and went on to receive her nursing education from the Crawford Long Hospital School of Nursing in Atlanta, Georgia, graduating in 1962. As an R.N., she worked in various capacities including Methodist Hospital, physician office care for Dr.’s Russell and Apple, and later returning to Methodist Hospital School of Nursing as faculty, teaching Nursing Fundamentals.

A faithful member of Germantown United Methodist since 1971- she taught Sunday School, coordinated Children’s Ministry, was Co-Director for Vacation Bible School, served as a member of the Administrative Board & the Council on Ministries, and created (by stencil) and typed (via typewriter) the worship bulletins weekly at home in the early years of GUMC. She served as a Girl Scout Troop leader (1978-1980) and then became the Service Unit Chairman for Germantown Girl Scouts. She was an active member of her neighborhood Garden Club, the Germantown Woman’s Club and St. George’s Day School Mother’s Club.

A homemaker for 7 years after the birth of her daughter, Wanda then returned to the workforce- transitioning into home healthcare during its early inception prior to the evolution of managed healthcare. Initially patient-facing, she progressed to also handling marketing and physician/hospital education. Her nursing career then adapted into the area of quality assurance, with various roles at both the Visiting Nurse Association and Upjohn Healthcare which became Trinity Healthcare Services in 1991 and then Baptist Trinity Homecare & Hospice in 1998, where she retired from after a combined 23+ years of employment. Wanda was particularly well-suited for this role with her attention to documentation detail, commitment to policy & procedures, and accurate & ethical patient care. She was known by her professional colleagues as “the go-to expert” on regulatory quality review- serving as compliance officer, new staff trainer, and continuing staff development. She was recognized as one of Memphis, Tennessee’s Top 100 Nurses. After retirement, she served as a Medicare revenue reimbursement specialist until 2016.

An avid gardener, Wanda found great joy, accomplishment, & therapy working tirelessly in her yard. Nature was her sanctuary and she had deep appreciation for the beauty of the trees, flowers, birds and sunshine. She loved a “project” and channeled that energy into sewing, crochet, needlepoint, cross-stitch, painting, scrapbooking, doing puzzles and creating her own stationary. She had a love affair with reading, spent daily devotion time & journaling, played the piano, enjoyed multi-genre musical appreciation and cooking. She relished in the laughter & fellowship a good card game of Canasta or shopping with friends would bring- but most of all, spending quality time with her family (her “treasures”). Her Christian faith was demonstrated to all who knew her, and she leaves a loving legacy of devotion to her savior Jesus Christ.

In addition to her parents, Wanda was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Ray Davis; her brother, James “Star” McCright, & sister-in-law Margaret McCright; her stepfather John R. McInnis; sister-in-law Marie Bryant & husband William Bryant.

Survivors include a daughter, Wendy Davis Willis & husband Mark; two grandchildren, Kendall Willis Berlin & husband Austin, and Meg Michelle Willis; several nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 11:00 am, in the sanctuary of Germantown United Methodist Church in Germantown, Tennessee. Inurnment will follow at the McVay Gardens Columbarium, also in Germantown.

The family will receive visitors in the church narthex & parlor at 10:00 am, prior to the service. *If attending the service, the family requests bright & colorful attire in celebration of Wanda.

In lieu of flowers, any gifts/memorials may be designated via online giving to either:

• Germantown United Methodist Church, Memorial Fund

Note in Comments: Wanda Davis, for the chapel

www.germantownumc.org/ways-to-give

• Baptist Memorial Healthcare Foundation, Tribute Gift, in memory of Wanda Davis

Designation: Kemmons Wilson Family Center for Good Grief

www.bmhgiving.org/ways-to-give/donate