Nancy Davis

A Celebration of Life for Nancy Davis will be held at 2 p.m. Jan. 22, at Shiloh Baptist Church. A time of sharing food and fellowship will follow at the Shiloh Community Center. A memorial gathering will be at the family’s Shiloh property located at 1645 LCR 433, Mexia, at dark. We will be under the large flowering pear tree which she loved.

Nancy Jane Copeland Davis, 81, of Mexia, died at home Nov. 18, 2021. She was born Sept. 4, 1940, in Lufkin, to Mavis Jimaloy Tull Copeland and Jesse Weldon Copeland.

Nancy was preceded in death by her sister, Wanda Braml on Nov. 5, 2021; and her son, Foster “Frosto” Davis on Nov. 6, 2021.

Nancy participated as a Candy Striper in High School and became a nurse. She received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Masters of Science in Special Education while raising her three children. Her learning continued throughout her life, obtaining numerous credentials. Nancy developed the Early Childhood Center at Lamar University while she was teaching classes. She had a skill as a Grant Writer and used this talent to help women and children. At Lamar she was the director of an equity program which assisted women in their education. The program placed women in nontraditional skills, such as welding ,and auto and diesel mechanics. Nancy was involved in the struggle for women’s equity from the 1960s. She continued this throughout her life.

Nancy enjoyed reading, journaling, travel, family and friends. She was a Texas Master Gardener, a Texas Master Naturalist, and a member of Mexia Garden Club.

Nancy was especially proud of her Girl Scout Troop No. 60 which sold scrap metals, scrap newspaper, drink bottles and held rummage sales for two years to raise money for a trip to Europe. The 14 girls and two sponsors toured for three months in 1958. The troop continues to meet annually to celebrate and remember the ones who are no longer here.

Nancy shared her life for 43 years with her husband, Charles Watley. Together they developed a life of love, learning and sharing. Her beautiful smile and blue eyes will be cherished.

Nancy is survived by sisters, Loy Beth Copeland McConnell, Veda Faye Copeland Matlock and Jeanie Copeland Willingham; brother, Jesse Weldon Copeland; children Debbie McCurley, Clarence “Bubba” Davis and wife Janell, Nancy Watley and Rebekah Watley; and grandchildren, Jack Davis, Jesse Davis, Graham Davis, Amelia Watley, Kyla Watley, Jaden Clark and Jianna Brown.