Fairy Lee grew up in Ava, where she excelled in school Everyone who knew her was sure Fairy Lee Hunt Davis was magic. From her parents, sisters and brothers, her husband and children, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, when they were with her they felt loved, special.
This lovely woman was born Jan. 20, 1928 in Joplin, and died in her sleep after a long illness early Wednesday morning in a city hospital. She was 78.
Raised by her mother Dulcie Ann Hunt, Fairy Lee grew up in Ava, where she excelled in school. She was valedictorian in both 8th and 12th grades. She received a scholarship to Southwest Missouri State College in Springfield where she was a member of Alpha Delta Phi Sorority, was a flag bearer in the school’s drum corps and was named Harvest Queen. It was at school she started using her middle name “Lee” for friends, but her family always used both names, as well as a sweet family nickname, “Flower,” from the movie “Bambi.”
She received a bachelor’s degree in history in 1950. She met Jimmy Ray Davis in 1950 and they eloped. They moved to Oklahoma City the same year, where her husband took a job at Tinker Air Force Base.
Her two oldest sons were both born in 1951, one in January, one in December. They were joined by a daughter in 1955 and another son in 1963. In 1965, she attended Central State College to get an Oklahoma Teaching Certificate. From that fall until her retirement, she first taught at Westwood Elementary School and ended her career at Mark Twain Elementary in Oklahoma City.
She enjoyed most of her retirement, traveling extensively with her children, plus her sister Wanda Bautts, and brother Russell Hunt. She became an active member of First Baptist Church of Oklahoma City where she enjoyed the lessons, services and fellowship. Everyone who knew her was convinced “Fairy Lee” was a real lady, as well as having magic powers. Her manners, her always stylish wardrobe and her kindnesses earned her admiration and respect from everyone who met her.
Life at her house was always enjoyable. Everyone was welcome — friends, family and any strays her children might bring home. She developed an avid interest in University of Oklahoma football and until her death would watch all televised games. It was the only time she lost her dignity.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jimmy Ray Davis Sr.; her parents, Dulcie Ann Huffman Hunt and David Willey Hunt Sr.; her sisters, Wilma and Georgia Hunt, and her brother Robert Jacob Hunt.
She is survived by her sister, Velva Ellison and brother David Willey Hunt Jr., both of Springfield, sister Wanda Hunt Bautts of Rogers, Ark., Russell Hunt of Ava, and Ralph Hunt of Harlingen, Texas.
She is also survived by her children, Jimmy Ray Davis Jr. of the home, Jeff David Davis, Sandra Lynn Davis and Kevin Clyde Mathey, and John Shannon and Francis Paulette Davis, all of Oklahoma City. She is survived by grandchildren, Shawn Anthony Davis, Tiana Ann Davis Griffey and Robert Griffey Sr., all of Oklahoma City, Lisa Dawn Davis of Baltimore, Md., Lance Scott Davis and Taner Brett Davis, both of Oklahoma City. Also surviving are great-grandchildren, Robert James Griffey Jr. and Derek Ryan Griffey, both of Oklahoma City.
Every member of her extended family – everyone who knew her – considered her the perfect lady. Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 6, at the South Colonial Chapel of Vondel L. Smith & Son Mortuary in Oklahoma City, Okla. Interment followed at Resthaven Memory Gardens, also in Oklahoma City.
