Shirley Smith Davis' Obituary
Shirley Smith Davis passed away on February 26, 2022, at Haven Hospice in Gainesville, Florida from pulmonary fibrosis. Shirley was born in Burlington, Iowa on July 29, 1934, and later met her husband, Donald Davis, to whom she was married for 55 years. Shirley and Don moved to Jacksonville, Florida while Don was in the military but then settled in Gainesville where they lived for the remainder of their lives. Shirley worked for many years in the insurance business before changing paths and becoming an administrative assistant to Mr. Jim Talbot in the Alachua County public school’s adult education program. She then became the administrative assistant to the dean in UF’s College of Pharmacy and then to the dean in the College of Health and Human Performance, the position from which she retired. Retirement did not agree with Shirley, so she worked several part-time jobs at Gresham Drugs, Hallmark, and Belk. She was also a volunteer at Shands Hospital. Shirley’s most valued and important “job” was being a wife, mother, grandmother, and puppy great-grandmother. Shirley was a force to be reckoned with and once her mind was made up, she got things done. Shirley’s malapropisms will be greatly missed. Shirley will be remembered by those who loved her most as a loving, protective, generous, loyal, and amusing person. Shirley was preceded in death by her beloved husband Donald Davis, and her sisters Marcia O’Brien and Jean Proctor. Those left to celebrate her life are her brother James Smith (Lourdes), daughter Lynette Thomas (Raymond), son Daniel Davis (Judy), grandchildren Jennifer Thomas, Jason Thomas, Emily Davis, and Jimmy Davis, and great grandpup Petey Pie Thomas. As requested by Shirley, there will be no service.
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