Eunice McDougald Davis

            Eunice McDougald Davis reclaimed her angel wings Sunday, December 14th, when she returned to heaven, resting again in the arms of her Lord. Eunice was born on December 28th, 1927, to Zeb M. McDougald and Annie Roller McDougald, the fifth of their nine children. She was preceded in death by her husband, William F. Davis, Sr., in November of 2007 and their son, William F. Davis, Jr. in August of 1994. She was also preceded in death by seven siblings.

            Being the middle child of nine siblings helped Eunice hone her interpersonal skills and negotiating prowess. She often served as the tiebreaker in sibling conflicts, where she could side with either the four boys or four girls, or the oldest siblings versus the youngest. Eunice’s upbringing made her very skilled as a peacemaker and conflict mediator—traits that helped her flourish professionally.

            She is survived by her daughter, Anne Marie Davis of Clemmons, her son Gregory M. Davis of Winston-Salem, and her baby sister and youngest sibling, Sara McDougald Poston of Rockingham. She is also survived by three grandchildren that she and her husband Bill spent many tiring but joyful hours with: Jack Davis of Winston-Salem, Laura Davis Brownlee of Winston-Salem, and Catherine Davis James of Columbia, SC. All three adored their grandmother, and the feeling was mutual. Eunice was blessed to have four great-grandchildren: Bowen William Brownlee and Boyd Spencer Brownlee of Winston-Salem, as well as Miller Grace James and Campbell Davis James of Columbia, SC.

           Eunice was the valedictorian of the Rockingham High School Class of 1946. While a student, she helped launch the school’s first annual, giving it the name ‘The Rocket’, which it still carries. She also wrote the school's senior play. She entered nurses training at Mercy Hospital in Charlotte where she graduated in 1949. During that time, she met the love of her life, her husband Bill. He was a student at Wake Forest College who always referred to her as his ‘earth angel’. They were married on August 20th, 1950, and enjoyed a truly biblically yoked marriage until Bill’s death in November of 2007.

            Eunice used her nursing background to work in different parts of the healthcare field. While living in Laurinburg, NC, she started a school social services department to help the needy school children of Scotland County. She started the first mental health department in Stokes County in the early 1970s.

            A lifelong Methodist, her funeral will be held Friday, Dec. 19, at 2 pm at Clemmons United Methodist Church with Rev. Chuck Smith and Rev. Ron McDougald (a nephew of Eunice) officiating, with a reception to follow at the church. Her life was typified by wisdom, charity, and kindness to all. Memorial donations may be made to Clemmons United Methodist Church, 3700 Clemmons Road, Clemmons, NC 27012.