Betty Davis

Betty Davis

May 31, 1932 - November 16, 2023

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Obituary

Betty Carol Davis, affectionately known as Mrs. D. passed away peacefully at the age of 91 on November 16, 2023, in Lavina, Montana. Betty was born in San Francisco, California on May 31, 1932. She was the first of four children born to Bill and Libby Trevor. Betty attended Lowell High School and during those four years she participated in the school's basketball team and became Captain of the school's drill team.


After graduation she was hired to work for a printing company and became the Office Manager. Betty worked there until 1953 when she married John Davis who happened to live just a couple doors down from her in San Francisco.


Together Betty and John had five children. To help make ends meet Betty started teaching piano which quickly grew by leaps and bounds. At its busiest Mrs. D. had over 60 students, and her piano career lasted over an astounding 50 years. During this span Betty hosted countless recitals, each one having a theme. Be it Christmas, Easter or St Patrick's Day, each recital came with baked cookies, drinks, and of course the students playing their hearts out for a packed room of friends and proud parents. Betty also gave her time and talent to the music departments of both Laurelwood Elementary school and Peterson High school by accompanying students during their recitals. In May of 2000 Betty was presented with the lifetime achievement award for the faithful service of raising the standards of music education and promoting the Art of music. In addition, Betty received the Music Teachers Award for lifetime achievement in which she was recognized for all the lives she touched and enriched with her special gift of teaching music. Betty's patient and nurturing manner made learning to play piano fun and satisfying.


A few of Betty's students went on to seek careers in music, but all her students' lives were enriched, and they all adored her. To know Mrs. D. was to love her. Betty's dedication and love for life, her family, her students and friends were unconditional and boundless. Her gentle, sweet, patient and caring demeanor was amazing. Smart with a wonderful sense of humor, Betty made everything fun and enjoyable. She loved backing cookies, cooking veggies from her garden, picking fruit from her many trees, bird watching and helping her kids with their homework, and of course kitties.


Betty is survived by her five children, Judy Cunningham of Roundup, Montana, John Davis of Lavina, Montana, Bill Davis of San Jose, California, Susan Fudge of Roundup, Montana, and Carol Mitchell of Union City, California. She also leaves two sisters Darlene Nelson of Boise, Idaho, Nancy Florence of Redwood City, California, and her brother Warren Trevor of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Betty has 14 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren.


Betty chose to be cremated and her ashes will be placed next to her late husband's ashes in California.


A memorial will be held in her honor at a later date.

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Deanna Beames
Other •
Dear Family of Betty Davis: I was saddened to learn of the passing of my dear friend Betty. We knew each other in California when we were in the same music teachers' association. She was my mentor when I was just beginning to teach piano, and she taught me things that I used all throughout my own career of teaching piano students. She inspired me with her creativity and her love for her students. My recitals were patterned after hers--always something different and fun--duets, singing, two piano numbers, every recital with a theme. We corresponded with each other for a few years after she moved to Montana, but since I had not heard from her for a while, I went searching to see if she had passed. I am tearfully writing to you this day that I found her obituary. I really loved her and wish I could have been able to tell her goodbye. Thanks for all you did for her. She told me many times how she loved all of you and was so proud of her family. This picture of Betty and John was taken when I lived there. What happy memories for me. Deanna Beames 2001 W Bear Creek Dr Nampa, Idaho 83686
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Amy Davis
Other •
My name is Amy and I’m Betty’s oldest grandchild. My grandma had the heart of an angel. Never did she have one cross thought in her mind. She gave me love and tenderness. When I was young, I would call my grandma after I I would walk home from school. When I was sad, grandma would just hold me and make everything better. I will miss her forever. I’m so grateful that I got to have her as my grandma. She taught me love, sensitivity, and compassion for others. She will be in my heart and my soul for as long as I shall live.
C
Carole
Other •
My daughter, Nicole, took piano lessons for years. Our family was so blessed to live in the neighborhood and have Mrs. Davis in our lives. May her memory be a blessing.

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