Waynoka Davis

Mrs.Waynoka "Duke" Dyer Davis, age 86, of Keene, NH and formerly of Abingdon, VA., New Canaan, CT, Coconut Creek, FL, Huntington, WV, and Allen, KY, went to meet her Maker on October 11, 2013, at Maplewood Nursing Home in Westmoreland, NH. She passed after a brief period of decline.
Duke was born December 6, 1926, in Hueysville, KY to the late Romeyn C. and Melba Osborne Dyer. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, James "Jim" M. Davis, the love of her life, with whom she shared 60 wonderful years, and by her infant brother, Eugene Dyer.
Duke graduated from Prestonsburg (KY) High (1945) and attended the University of Kentucky where she met Jim. They exchanged wedding vows on March 13, 1948. She was proud that she received her degree ("Mrs.", with honors) before Jim graduated with distinction.
Duke and Jim shared the honor of being Kentucky Colonels. Duke was a long term member of the Abingdon Baptist Church and formerly a member of the Westmoreland (WV) Baptist Church and New Canaan (CT) Congregational Church. Duke had been active with the Johnston Memorial Hospital Ladies Auxiliary, the Garden Club in Abingdon, Huntington, WV and New Canaan, and the Ladies Club in Abingdon, Huntington, and New Canaan. Duke was a former member of Glenrochie Country Club, President's Club, and Highlands Dance Society, all in Abingdon. Duke, a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker, was blessed to be able to stay at home for most of her marriage. She was known for her love of throwing parties and baking cakes for charities, as well as for her Mexican Wedding Cookies for the Cub and Boy Scouts in Abingdon and New Canaan, and for teaching her friends to make Faye Patton's Kentucky Cream Candy. She enjoyed flower gardening, cooking, housekeeping, and ceramics. Duke loved to laugh, dance, and cut up. For many years, neighborhood children called her the "Kool-Aid Lady" because she always served cold Kool-Aid on the front porch after a hot day of serious play.
Duke is survived by two sons, Ronald Lee Davis, CPA and wife Mary of Sandy Hook, CT; and James Romeyn Davis, Esq, and wife Joy of Keene, NH; six grandchildren, the Rev. Ronald Lee Davis, Jr. of Clarksburg, MD; Jessica Lynne Davis of Plymouth, MA; Sara Elizabeth Davis of Sandy Hook; Rebecca Davis Dunn and husband Jeremy of Peterborough, NH; Sister Agnes Th�©r�¨se Davis (Franciscan Sisters, T.O.R.) of Toronto OH; and Daniel Romeyn Davis of Keene; one great-grandson, Oscar James Dunn of Peterborough; three special cousins, Joyce Short Allen of Prestonsburg; Bebe Hayes Conn of Harold, KY; and Peggy Hayes Clark of Betsy Lane, KY; one uncle, Joseph E. Dyer and wife Patricia of Fayetteville, NC; and Jim's nephew, Robert "Mike" Michael Davis of Prestonsburg.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 9, 2013, at 11:00 am at the Abingdon Baptist Church, 361 W. Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210, with Dr. Steven Pollard officiating. The family will receive friends at the church before the funeral, commencing at 10:00 am. Entombment will follow the funeral at Forest Hills Memory Gardens, Colonial Chapel Mausoleum. Pallbearers will be Ronald Lee Davis, James Romeyn Davis, Ronald Lee Davis, Jr., Daniel Romeyn Davis, Daniel A. Lonteen, and Dylan Borst.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Abingdon Baptist Church or to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Pl., Memphis TN 38105. Those wishing to send condolences or view the Tribute site may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com.
The Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, 427 E. Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210 is serving the Davis family.