Barbara Bancroft Davis

The daughter of Herbert Goodridge Bancroft and Molly Gould Bancroft, Barbara was educated at the Horace Mann School for Girls and the Katherine Gibbs School in New York. In 1940 Barbara married Malcolm Irvin Davis, Jr. of Philadelphia. The couple lived in New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania until Mr. Davis died in 1971. Over the years they owned several 18th century houses and enjoyed restoring and furnishing them with antiques. After her husband’s death, Barbara and her mother moved to Williamsburg where Barbara worked in the exhibition buildings in Colonial Williamsburg, first as a hostess and later as an historical interpreter. After her retirement in 1986, Barbara worked at Bruton Parish Church as a guide. Throughout her life, Barbara loved gardening, American history and her standard poodles and, in later years, cats. She was a member of Bruton Parish Church, the Daughters of the American Revolution and the National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Lynne Davis Lyons and Mark Lyons of Leland, Michigan and Williamsburg; and her granddaughter, Molly Elizabeth Lyons of Washington, DC.

Interment at Bruton Parish Church will be private. Her family is grateful for the excellent care Barbara received from staff at Williamsburg Landing and Heartland Hospice. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.nelsenwilliamsburg.com.