Ruth "Jean" Davis

(Ruth) Jean Parker Davis passed away August 14, 2018, at Haven Hospice Care Center in Palatka, FL at age 77.  After a yearlong struggle with pancreatic cancer, Jean left this Earth surrounded by her family and beloved friends.  She is survived by her husband, Roderick C. Davis; her older sister, Marion Holt; her daughters, Kate Elizabeth Davis and Ruth Davis Hays; her grandson, Nicholas J. Hays; her chosen family, Michelle Grant, Robbie Crabtree, and Lynn Pero.

Jean was the youngest daughter of Rev. Colvin and Ruth B. Parker, born in Jacksonville, Florida, at St. Vincent's Hospital on November 6, 1940.  In 1959, she graduated from Robert E. Lee High School, then in 1962 graduated from St. Vincent's Hospital School of Nursing. Having received her RN degree, she worked as obstetrics and OR nurse at St. Vincent's Hospital until she left to raise her young family.

Rod and she were one of the first families to move to the new community in Clay County, Lake Asbury, where she enjoyed raising Labrador Retrievers, leading local 4-H clubs and riding horses with her daughters. Through the years, Jean and her husband Rod traveled in RVs to every state in the continental United States, including Alaska twice. They also ventured to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean Islands.  In her golden years, she was fond of seeing locations in movies and TV and remarking, “I've been there.”

Loved by many, her infectious laughter rings in the ears of all whose life she graced. She will be remembered always with a smile.

In lieu of flowers, her family asks that donations be made in her name to Haven Hospice Care Centers http://beyourhaven.org/donate  or Pancreatic Cancer support site, https://www.pancan.org/ways-to-give .