Elaine Davis

She is clothed with strength and dignity and laughs without fear of the future. Proverbs 31:25 Elaine Davis was born in Los Angeles on Christmas Day 1937 to Ruth & Erith Frantz, a much younger sister to adoring brothers Dick & Lynne. As a child she pulled her wagon around the neighborhood collecting scrap metal and rubber for the (WWII) war effort and amused her brothers with early precocious fame on Art Linkletter’s hit show House Party. She grew into a remarkable person that loved Jesus, her three kids and grandson, friends that became family, teaching the Bible and nurturing & mentoring others to find their God-given potential. As a parent, Elaine was ridiculously proud of her children, Christy, Cher & Jim. The world shook on its axis in 2005 when grandchild Grady was born. Grammy was a cherished title she bore with great joy. She was so much fun. She loved life and people and put those together over leisurely cups of coffee, witty conversation, uproarious laughter, theatre & music (Beethoven, Wynton Marsalis for starters), yummy food & wine, travel & adventure, and good books (once on a trip to Oxford, England, she practically cleared the Blackwell bookstore stock of CS Lewis books she hadn’t seen in the US). She was a loyal, boundless, generous, and encouraging friend. Need help, a favor, a hug, a prayer? Call Elaine. She wrote wonderful letters and never missed a birthday (though sometimes those cards were a bit late from time to time). A tour de force, she lived life expansively, always said “yes” before “no”, was a problem-solver and “we’ll find a way” person. She never met an obstacle she didn’t manage to knock back or climb over. A time optimist by nature (a term coined by her son-in-law), she opted for ambitious time management: why fit just one task into an hour when you can try for three? She was a sparkly, spirited, courageous, resilient, optimist person. She smiled and laughed easily and loved people. She is dancing in heaven, and our world is better that she was in it. Elaine cultivated adaptability and creativity as she moved many times and lived across multiple states. She thrived in diversity of people, cultures, perspectives, and cuisines. She loved to travel and visited Asia and the Middle East multiple times. After retiring with years in human resources, she fell in love with the children and families of inner-city Phoenix, serving as the Executive Director for Downtown Urban Community Kids (DUCK). We will not be holding a service. For a remembrance, please honor Elaine’s memory in one of these ways that would thrill her: - Contribute to an organization of your choice that tackles issues of inequity, poverty, or children at risk - Undertake an unexpected and unsolicited act of kindness for someone in her name - Contribute to Bright Stars over Bethlehem, a non-for-profit organization that promotes peace and justice in Palestine, founded by Pastor Mitri Raheb of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem

Elaine Davis

December 25, 1937 - July 30, 2022