Nancy Lou (Dye) Davis, of St. Louis, MO, was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, teacher, and friend to all who knew her. She left this world suddenly on December 16, 2022, at age 73.
Nancy was born to Clark and Eva Dye and was the baby of the family with two older sisters, Arleta Dye and Nadine (Dye) Palmer. The days were hard as they tended to their fields and cared for the livestock, but they were a family of faith that loved the Lord. Nancy drove the tracker and drank coffee starting at the age of 8. In her hometown of Arbela, Missouri, she went to a one room schoolhouse until the sixth grade. In high school, she played the trombone in the marching band and fell in love with Ron Davis.
Nancy completed her Bachelor’s degree at Northeast Missouri State University (Truman State University, Kirksville, MO) and her Master’s degree at Webster University (St. Louis, MO). After briefly working at Shell Motor Co, she was hired by Mehlville School District at Oakville Middle School and then as an Economics and Parenting teacher at Mehlville High School. Nancy took such pride cultivating each of her students, as she shared her passion for learning and teaching with thousands of teenagers over her 41-year career.
On June 29, 1969, Nancy married her high school sweetheart, Ron. To this union two daughters were born, Amy Lanette Davis Heitman of Barnhart, MO and Amber Renee Davis of St. Louis, MO. The Davis family were active members at Mehlville Baptist Church, where Nancy and Ron taught Sunday School class and Nancy was the director of Vacation Bible School for many years. She was a believer in Christ and shared her love for Him with all she knew.
Nancy loved spending time with her family – it was her life joy. She took pride in providing for her family in every way and often spent hours in the kitchen, creating delicious meals for them. After Ron became ill in 2002 and until he passed in 2011, she cared for him in their home and was recognized with the Caregiver of the Year Award for the St. Louis area. She was a true pillar of strength and faith for her family has she led them through this difficult time with such grace, comfort, and love. She had two grandchildren, Henry Thomas Heitman VI and Hazel Lanette Heitman. Nancy (Grammy) cared for Hazel since she was 3 months old until she entered kindergarten. She was always on call for school pickups and attended every school and sporting event for both grandkids.
Nancy is our loving, precious, courageous, and strong mom and grandma.
Nancy was greeted in heaven by her mother and father, Eva and Clark Dye, in-laws, Hazel and Herold Davis, close family members, Juliet and Louis Brant, and beloved husband, Ronald Davis (2011). She is survived by her sisters, Arleta Dye and Nadine Palmer [Wayne Palmer]; daughters, Amy Heitman [Tom Heitman] and Amber Davis; grandchildren, Henry and Hazel Heitman; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and cousins.
Services: Visitation at KUTIS SOUTH COUNTY Chapel 5255 Lemay Ferry Rd. Monday, December 26 from 4-7 pm. Funeral at Canaan Baptist Church, 5409 Baumgartner Rd., December 27 at 11 am. Then taken to Gerth Funeral Home (Memphis, MO) December 28 for visitation 11 am – 2 pm with a 2:30 pm graveside service at Memphis Cemetery. Memorials to Canaan Baptist Church to support their local and global missions.
Nancy was a true lady, wonderful teacher, and a role model for all. Sending prayers to her family.
Sending prayers and thinking of you all and your family during this difficult time. Such fond memories of your mom during my childhood. She was such a sweet, thoughtful and caring person.
I am shocked to learn of Nancy’s passing. She was a dedicated teacher who truly cared about her students. She was a wonderful Christian woman who lived her live accordingly. I am so very sorry for your loss. Praying for the Lord to comfort you during this time.
I am so sorry to hear of NANCY’s passing. I taught with her for many years at Mehlville High School. She was such a loving and compassionate person. I will pray for you and your family as you grieve.
Nancy was a wonderful neighbor and a lovely soul. I will truly miss our conversations and chit-chat while working in our yards.
I enjoyed working with Nancy for many years. She took great pride in her job.
My name is Roger Funkenbusch. I met Ron and Nancy at Hannibal Lagrange college when we were freshmans.
Ron was my best man and I was his best man at our weddings.
I know at this time word’s have such little meaning, but both Ron and Nancy were my dearest friends.
I am so shocked and saddened of Nancy’s passing. She had such a beautiful soul, sweet and compassionate person to be with.
Sincerest condolences to there families.
Many prayer to Amy and family at this time. Beautifully written article about the joys your mom had in her life. So very special how are families lives have been entwined through education, gymnastics, dance and horses. May you feel God’s strength and reassurance of his promise.
The Nancy Davis Family, we extend our sincere sympathy to the family. She was a lovely Christian lady in word and deed. Your description of her was eloquent. She will be missed. Our prayers are for God to comfort you all and grant you peace! In Christian love, Burrell Lee and Family
The Nancy Davis Family, we extend our sympathy to the family. She was a lovely Christian lady in word and deed. Your description of her was eloquent. She will be missed. Our prayers are for God to comfort you all and grant you peace.
In Christian love, Burrell Lee and family.
I was saved at Melville Baptist Church during VBS. Nancy is a part of my conversion story. Sweet memories of her.
I have such fond memories of Nancy and Ron at Mehlville Baptist Church.
My sincerest condolences on your loss
So very sorry to learn of Nancy’s passing. We went to her childhood church together for 18 years. She was a Godly woman and will be dearly missed.
Another precious soul From our Etna community passes on most recently Patty Sue Harbor. Murrell. May They rest in peace
I was a classmate of hers in Memphis, Mo. Nancy was always kind, always did her best, always cared and never, ever said a bad word about anyone. She is a soul to be missed by her classmates, family and friends. She also died on my birthday. So sorry for your loss. She will be your guardian angel. Watch for the cardinal to visit you wherever you go.
Nancy was such a kind, good person. I can’t remember her ever complaining about anything. I admired her care and devotion to her husband, Ron, as she cared for him for many years. When our girls were young we had many good times together. It was a privilege to teach in the Family and Consumer Science Department at Mehlville Senior High with Nancy.
Sincerest condolences to the family of Mrs. Davis… Mrs. Davis was one of my teachers in high school but the only teacher who had an incredibly profound impact in my life. I don’t think I would be the teacher (or person) I am today without her. Everything she did was with great care and passion and I’ve worked to do the same in my own life. A teacher and person like Mrs. Davis is never forgotten but, still, sorely missed. I can’t imagine the pain her family is enduring; I can only pray for their solace.
So sorry to hear of Nancy’s passing. I taught for many years with Nancy in the family and consumer sciences department at Mehlville high school. She was always such a kind and caring lady. My deepest sympathy to her family.
Our sincerest condolences on Your loss…Heaven has a new angel…
Our thoughts and prayers are with You…