Dorothy Lewise Davis

Mrs. Dorothy Lewise Davis (née Winans), born March 15, 1924, in Fort Worth, Texas, passed away peacefully at the age of 98 of natural causes the evening of August 6th, surrounded by two of her children and several grandchildren and friends.

Dorothy (also known as “Dot” or “Dottie”) was a beautiful and practical woman, who truly loved raising her children, referring to that time as “the good years.” While never being educated beyond high school, she loved reading, and in particular, became very knowledgeable about architecture and civil engineering, reading her father’s civil engineering texts and reference books. She designed the house her family grew up in, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, featuring structural pillars sunk to rock and an I-beam running the length of the house, minimizing problems with settling, common in the area. She was preceded in death by her parents (Lawrence L. Winans and Ruth Winans, née Fonville), her husband, Emanuel Davis (2002), as well as her sisters Ladie Ruth and Lelia, and her brother Fonville. Her husband, Emanuel (“Mannie”) was a dentist, an Army dentist she met on Trinidad in early 1942 and married October 19th that year. Both Dot and Mannie supported and encouraged education in all forms for their children. Dorothy is remembered as a “second mother” to several friends of her children, since they all were always welcome at the house, and she routinely volunteered to host class parties, etc. Dorothy had multiple hobbies and interests. Her family was very musical; she carried on the tradition, and enjoyed playing the electric organ. She also enjoyed rock hunting and antique bottle hunting.

While her husband was Jewish and her children raised in Jewish traditions, Dorothy herself always remained a Southern Baptist who never smoked, rarely drank (except toasts at weddings and the like), and rarely used any but good language, though prone to a few “Texas-isms” since she loved Texas and all its traditions.

Dorothy leaves behind a legacy of loving memories with all who knew her for her invariable friendliness and generosity to others. Of her it can truly be said, she had a full life well-lived.

Dorothy is survived by her four children, Joel S. Davis (74, or Albuquerque, NM), James L. Davis (72, of Atlanta, GA), Jerome A. Davis (68, of Pittsburgh, PA), and Judith C. Winski (née Davis, 67, of Montgomery, TX), seven grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren.

Dorothy was a lover of animals; growing up, her household included one dog, several cats, a dozen parakeets, numerous goldfish, and, for a time, a pet mouse. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA; https://secure.aspca.org/donate/ps-gn-p2).

A visitation for Dorothy will be held Friday, August 12, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Forest Park - The Woodlands Funeral Home, 18000 Interstate 45 S, The Woodlands, TX 77384. Following the visitation will be a graveside service from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Forest Park - The Woodlands Cemetery, 18000 Interstate 45 S, The Woodlands, TX 77384.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.forestparkthewoodlands.com for the DAVIS family.