Betty J. Davis
Betty J. Davis, age 98, of Geneseo, Illinois passed away on January 18, 2025. Betty was the second of four children born to David and Edith (McDonald) Gildersleeve. She graduated from Annawan-Alba High School in 1943, and was the bookkeeper for P. R. Deane Plumbing in Geneseo for several years. She married Donald J. Cherry on 2/16/52 and on 12/12/55 he passed away at age 31. She married Ross Davis of Maquoketa, Iowa on 1/24/59. She enjoyed working as a clerk at the Sale Barn in Maquoketa, and was later a real estate broker, owning Ross Davis Real Estate with her husband. She had two sons, Scott G. Davis and John R. Davis. Her husband and son Scott preceded her in death in 2006 and 2010.
Betty returned to Geneseo, Illinois in 2010 and resided at Liberty Village, where she loved their many activities. For many years she attended First Lutheran Church with her sister Doris, followed by a hot fudge sundae treat at the Dairy Queen. She also enjoyed many years of going out for dinner with her longtime friend June Swint and sister Doris. Betty looked forward to visits and car rides with brother and sister-in-law Joe and Betty Gildersleeve prior to their passing. Visits from son John, nieces Peggy Schram (Brian) and Deborah Swanson (who she often referred to as the daughters she never had) were highlights in addition to the comfort she felt from her sister Doris’s many years of care and companionship.
Betty loved to laugh and enjoy good times with family and friends. She loved country music and numerous gatherings in Geneseo and at the Atkinson lake. Betty and her siblings were often seen using sign language as their parents were deaf. She will be remembered for her big smile, fun loving laugh, bright blue eyes, and her infamous streak of white hair that she insisted on keeping throughout her adult life.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents, husbands Don and Ross, son Scott, sister and brother-in-law Pauline and Wendell Hill, brother and sister-in-law Joe and Betty Gildersleeve, brother-in-law Stanley Swanson, brother-in-law George Davis, and sister-in-law and husband Mary Ellen and Richard Bilsborrow. She is survived by son John R. Davis, Clinton, Iowa, granddaughter Kathryn (Katie) Davis, Maquoketa, sister Doris Swanson, Geneseo, and several nieces and nephews.
A private family service will be held through Carson Celebration of Life Center, Maquoketa, Iowa. Memorials may be directed to Skyline Center, Inc 2600 N 4th Street, Clinton, Iowa or to your favorite charity.
The family would like to thank the many wonderful staff at Liberty Village for many years of heartfelt care.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.CarsonAndSon.com.