Gladys Mae Davis died on June 24 at her home at The Aspens, with her family beside her.

She was born on Jan. 21, 1911, in Pendleton, to Harriett and Walter Benson. Davis was 5 years old when her parents moved to Indian Valley, Idaho, where she grew up and attended school in a one-room schoolhouse. After finishing eighth grade, she went to a boarding school, The Intermountain Institute, in Weiser, Idaho. Her parents moved to Caldwell, Idaho, where she finished high school and attended the College of Idaho for two years.

She married Charles Russell Edward Davis on Sept. 29, 1933, in Caldwell. The couple had three daughters.

During their early years of marriage, Davis and her husband owned a farm in Nyssa. When her husband was in the Navy during World War II, the family moved to Nampa, Idaho, where they resided until 1950 when they moved to Harney County. She and her husband lived in the same home in Hines for 50 years.

Davis was very involved with school activities and was a long-time member of the Pioneer Presbyterian Church, where she served as Deacon for several years. She was also involved in the Girls Scouts, 4-H, OSU Extension Service, Sylvia Rebekah Lodge and the Merry Matrons Club in Nyssa during the 1940s.

She worked as a cook at Roosevelt Grade School in Nampa, Idaho, and as a teaching assistant to her sister, Viola, in Canyon County, Idaho. Davis worked as a Certified Nurse Assistant and in housekeeping at Harney District Hospital, and later for Mosley’s Family Shoe Store in Burns.

Davis’ passions were sewing, knitting and crocheting for her family. She also enjoyed many years of gardening with her husband. She and her husband celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary in 2008.

Davis is survived by her husband, Charles R. Davis; sister, Erva Fivecoat of Portland; daughters, Ladora Butler of Boise, Idaho, Charlotte Hetherington of Boise, and Lynette Davis of Central Point; and five grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Viola Adams, Ione Chadd and an infant sister; brother, Cecil Benson; and grandchildren, James Grabowski and Jamie Hoblitzel.

A memorial service was held at Pioneer Presbyterian Church on June 29. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Davis’ memory may be made to the Harney County Hospice, Harney County Home Health or Harney County Senior Center, in care of LaFollette’s Chapel, P.O. Box 488, Burns, OR 97720.

LaFollette’s Chapel was in charge of arrangements.