Madalyn Marie Davis

Madalyn Marie Lackey Davis, a longtime resident of Hitchita, went to be with her Lord on Sunday, July 31, 2011 at the age of 89. She was born in Hitchita, Oklahoma on March 25, 1922, the 3rd daughter of O.L. and Golda (Phillips) Lackey. She graduated in 1940 as Valedictorian of her graduating class, where she was active in 4-H, took piano lessons, played the accompyment for local groups and was a basketball player. She attended Oklahoma A&M and majored in Elementary Education and taught 5th grade part of one year in Hitchita. Then she moved to Okmulgee with her parents in 1946 and worked at the Housing Office when Okmulgee Tech was established. There she met the love of her life, Philip B. Davis and they married in June of 1947. Then she transferred to Stillwater and worked in the college library. In 1950, they moved to Grove, where she worked 6 years in a local insurance agency. They then moved to Lansing, Michigan, where she worked in a Jr. High Library,then in 1959 they moved to Corvallis, Oregon, where she volunteered at the 1st United Methodist Church. But her first love was teaching so she taught 6 years at 2nd grade level and 8 more years at 4th grade level. She completed her Masters Degree at Oregon State University in 1967. In 1974, Phil and Madalyn returned to the ranch near Hitchita that her grandfather had established in 1903. She then worked as a 1st grade teacher in Checotah Elementary Schools, where she completed 8 happy years with the little ones. She was coordinator for the Adult Library Program in Checotah, active member in the McIntosh County Retired Teachers, served as membership chairman and treasurer, chairman of the Checotah Library Board and member of the East Central District Library Board. In 1991, they named the literacy room in Checotah, The Madalyn Davis Room. She was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Checotah. In the Hitchita area, she was very active with the Rural Fire Department Auxiliary and she has been a trustee of the Hitchita Lackey Cemetery for 30 years. Madalyn was preceded in death by her parents, and by two sisters, Helen and Catherine. She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Philip Davis, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 3, 2011 at the First United Methodist Church in Checotah with Pastor Wayne Loftin officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Shurden-Jackson Funeral Home in Henryetta. The family requested in lieu of flowers, please send donations to the First United Methodist Church of Checotah Building Fund, 2nd and Gentry St., Checotah, Ok 74426