Edith Eloise Modlin Davis

Edith Eloise Modlin Davis, beloved wife and mother, was born in Rocky Mount, NC on November 24, 1915 to Grover D. Modlin and Pattie Bet Davis Modlin and died March 6, 2011. Edith was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Patricia D. Poovey of Burlington, NC; brother, G. Davis Modlin of Rocky Mount; and, sister, Mary M. Hinton of Clayton. Edith is survived by her husband of 72 years, Kenneth H. Davis, Sr.; two sons, Kenneth H. Davis, Jr. (Barbara) of Durham and Donald E. Davis of Rocky Mount; three daughters, Carolyn D. Rudiger (Randy) of Hideaway, TX, Marian D. Harper of Newport News, VA, and Sarah R. Davis of Winston-Salem; and, a brother, Milton H. Modlin (Eulene) of Rocky Mount, NC. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Dolly Devlin and Will Davis, Durham; Alan Poovey, Burlington; Jennifer Snooks and Patrick Poovey, Cary; Beth Poovey, Charlotte; Bryan Carl and John Carl, TX; Karen Harper Nyako and Kate Harper, VA; and 17 great-grandchildren. The extended Davis family also includes special friends Frank and Pat Miller of Wilson, Mary Eleanor and Dan Pulver of Rocky Mount, Jolyn Johnson and family of Hookerton, and Bill Poovey of Burlington. Edith graduated from Louisburg College in 1935 and East Carolina Teachers College in 1938. After marriage in 1939, she began her career as a Boy Scout Executive's wife and devoted mother. Ken and Edith made their homes successively in Gallipolis, OH; Spartanburg, SC; Savannah, GA; Burlington; Rocky Mount; Louisburg; Greenville; and Washington before retiring back to Rocky Mount in 1982. Edith spent her life taking care of other people and putting others' needs ahead of her own. When their last child, Donald, was born with Down Syndrome in 1959, Edith and Ken took on new roles as advocates for individuals with disabilities. Known to many of Donnie's friends as Mom or Grandma, she and Ken assisted with the week-long summer camp for adults with disabilities known as Camp Rainbow held at Camp Caroline in Arapahoe, NC until she was 90 years old. Edith was a long-time member of First United Methodist Church of Rocky Mount. The family thanks the church family and many friends in Rocky Mount for their love and care. Special thanks go to friends Kaye Townsend and Melinda and Veree Pollack and caregivers Celia Weaver, Tina Mills, Tina Lynch, Joyce Macklin, Elizabeth Taylor, Robin Richardson and Community Home Care and Hospice for their support and care. Visitation with the family will be held from 7:00pm to 8:30pm Wednesday, March 09, 2011 at Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home. A service to remember Edith will be held at 1:00pm Thursday afternoon at First United Methodist Church in Rocky Mount with Rev. Bob Bergland officiating. Burial will follow at Bethlehem United Methodist Church Cemetery in Arcola NC. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be directed to the Christian Church in NC, c/o Edith Davis Camp Rainbow Scholarship Fund, PO Box 1568, Wilson, NC 27894, 252-291-4047. Checks should be made payable to the church. Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home, 1130 N. Winstead Ave., Rocky Mount, NC. You may share your memories and send condolences to the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com. Visitation Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services 1130 N. Winstead Ave. Rocky Mount, NC 27804 ID ) ); ?>"> --> 252-451-8800 --> | Wednesday 3/9, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Service First United Methodist Church (Rocky Mount) 100 South Church Street Rocky Mount, NC 27804 ID ) ); ?>"> --> 252-977-0400 --> | Thursday 3/10, 1:00 pm