Martha Nell (Ward) Davis

Martha Nell (Ward) Davis passed away late Saturday evening, April 13, 2019 after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s. 

Martha was born October 1, 1937 in Corsicana, Texas, to Joseph Oscar Ward and Novella Jane (Fortner) Ward. Martha grew up in Kerens, Texas where she graduated from Kerens High School in May of 1955.  She then attended Navarro Junior College, where she met her future husband, Robert Manning Davis.  Once she complete her studies at Navarro Junior College, Martha attended Howard Payne College in Brownwood, Texas.  She majored in Secondary Education and minored in English.  Martha graduated in May of 1959.  During her time at Howard Payne, Martha and Manning married on January 25, 1958 in Powell, Texas.

In August of 1961, Martha and Manning, along with their two very small children, moved to Cisco, Texas.  Martha would work for an accounting office owned by Kenneth Cooper and Carroll Ray, Jr.  She began her teaching career in 1965 at Cisco High School.  She taught typing, shorthand and accounting.  Martha taught for 15 years.

In 1981, Mrs. Davis became the Business Manager of Cisco Independent School District.  She continued in that capacity for the next 20 years before her retirement in May of 2001. 

Martha was a very active member of First Baptist Church, Cisco, where she served on many committees, taught Sunday school and played the piano for around 53 years.  She loved her Lord and loved serving Him with her talents.

Mrs. Davis also served in the community.  She served on the Chamber of Commerce Board, the Board of Regents of Cisco College and The Cisco Food Pantry Board.

Along with being a wife and mother, Martha was also a grandmother and great-grandmother. She cherished, especially, her roll of grandmother and great-grandmother.  She loved following her grandchildren through all their activities. 

Survivors include: her husband of 61 years, Manning Davis, formally of Cisco, now of Cleburne;

daughter, Gina Davis Winnett, and husband, Kevin Winnett, of Cleburne, Texas; son, Roger Davis and wife, Michelle Davis, of Waco, Texas.  She is also survived by her 3 grandchildren: granddaughter, Alissa (Winnett) Carroll and husband, Justin Carroll, of Lorena, Texas; grandson, Jake Winnett and wife, Amanda Winnett, of Cleburne, Texas; and granddaughter, Emily Davis of Waco, Texas.  Also, she is survived by her 4 great-grandchildren: Lucas Carroll and Liam Carroll; Blake Winnett and Nolan Winnett.  Martha is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, and great-great nieces and great-great nephews.

Martha was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Virginia Garlington; brother, Joe Ward; and great-nephew, Casey Eubanks.

The family requests that should you wish to donate to a charity in her memory that you consider these charities:  Alzheimer’s Organization; The Cisco Food Pantry, and the Mothers against Drunk Driving

Visitation will take place at Kimbrough Funeral Home in Cisco, Texas Tuesday, April 16, from 5PM

Services for Mrs. Davis will be held at First Baptist Church of Cisco, Texas at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 17, 2019.  There will be a viewing from 1:00-2:00, at the church before the service.  No other viewing will be done after the service begins. Internment will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Cisco.

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