Martha Louise Ritchey Davis

Martha Louise Ritchey Davis, age 103, of the Shiloh community passed away on Wednesday, November 2, 2016 at the SPJST Nursing Home in Taylor, Texas.

Louise was born in the Lawrence Chapel community on April 14, 1913 to Robert Lee and Lydia Frances Edge Ritchey. On November 17, 1932, she married Bland B. Davis.

Louise was a member of the Shiloh Baptist Church for over seventy years where she faithfully served her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

She worked alongside her husband on their farm and ranch, and after his death in 1980, she continued to ranch for the next 20 years. She was a wonderful cook and enjoyed cooking for her family. She was known for her strong faith in God and as a prayer warrior for her family and friends.

Along with her sister Dorothy Davis and husband Gaston, she and her husband Bland were the members of the Davis Quartet. They sang for over thirty years at many singing conventions, church gatherings, and funerals. They were well-known for their beautiful harmony.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sisters Vera Rushing, Frances Edge, Lexia Jones, Dorothy Davis Hobbs, brothers S.E. Ritchey, and Robert Doyle Ritchey and grandson Gary Burrell Davis.

She is survived by her son, Bland B. Davis, Jr. and wife Susan of Hutto, and daughter Carol Laurence and husband Fred of Taylor. Her grandchildren include Katrina Swinney and husband Dan of Spring Branch; Lori Gonzalez and husband G.G. of San Marcos, Christy Ballard and husband David of Taylor; Misty Patureau and husband Jason of Hutto; Patrick Davis of Prescott, Arizona; Mike Laurence and wife Emily of Borger, Texas; and Mary Elizabeth Thomas and husband Matthew of Cumming, Georgia. Great-grandchildren are Daniel and Justin Swinney, Jeremy, Ashley, and Emily Gonzalez, Stephen and Sarah Ballard, Matthew and Jonathan Ballard, Christopher and Katelyn Patureau, Sarah Beth and Rebekah Laurence, and Nathan and Luke Thomas.

Visitation will be on Friday, November 4 from 6-8 PM at Providence Funeral Home in Taylor. Funeral services will be on Saturday, November 5 at 10:00 AM at First Shiloh Baptist Church with Pastors Ray Dennis, Larry Givens, and Mark Nygard officiating. Burial will follow at Lawrence Chapel Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be David Ballard, Patrick Davis, Genaro Gonzalez, Mike Laurence, Jason Patureau, Dan Swinney, and Matthew Thomas.

Memorials may be made to First Shiloh Baptist Church Family Life Center.

Our heartfelt thanks and appreciation go to the staff, aides, and nurses at SPJST Nursing Home in Taylor.