March 8, 1902 – April 4, 2008

Evelyn Lucille Kerns Davis died April 4, 2008 at the Downey Care Center. She was 106 years old. Evelyn was born in Malad, Idaho on March 8, 1902.

Her mother, Mary Jones Kerns descended from the Jones and Daniels families who were some of the first families to permanently settle in Malad Valley in 1865. Her father, James Marion Kerns came to Malad from Kentucky. He was a medical doctor and practiced in Malad until his death in 1936. Her brothers, Marion and Calude Kerns (both now deceased) also became medical doctors.

Evelyn was a lifetime resident of Malad except for the years she attended schools in Pocatello and Moscow and during the last three years when she resided at the Downey Care Center. She graduated from Pocatello High School in 1919. She graduated from the Idaho Technical Institute (now Idaho State University). In 1925 she graduated from the university of Idaho where she was a member of the Alpha Rho Chapter of Alpha Chi Omega Sorority.

In 1927 she married Griff Davis also of Malad. Griff’s family owned the Malad Water Company, which was founded and developed by his father Griff Davis, Sr.

Evelyn and Griff were very active members of the Malad community. Their home was always a welcoming place for others. She was a charter member of the Malad American Legion Auxiliary; she held many positions in the Presbyterian Church and other community groups. During World War II and for many years after, she was the American Red Cross representative in Oneida County.

Evelyn and Griff raised three children. After their children were grown, Evelyn again taught school in Malad.

Upon their retirement, the couple purchased a trailer and began a pattern of summers on the Oregon Coast where they became members of a new community of friends. These were some of the happiest years of their lives.

Griff died in 1980 at the age of 79. Evelyn continued an active life with such activities as bridge clubs, traveling, visiting families, fishing and gambling. These activities were eventually limited by her blindness.

A major theme of her life was the importance of education. Also of great importance were her relationships with friends and family. Although she outlived the friends of her youth, she never stopped developing new friendships. In her later years her weekly schedule always included a visit to Alice’s Beauty Salon and the noon event at the Senior Citizens Center.

Evelyn had several serious illnesses in her life, including the loss of her sight, but she was always positive and enthusiastic.

She was an 85-year member of Alpha Chi Omega, a 71-year member of the Eastern Star (Ruth Chapter), and a long time member of the Royal Neighbor of America. She was a lifetime member of the Presbyterian Church of Malad.

Evelyn’s three children are Bob (Delma) of Gresham, Oregon; Diane Davis of Pocatello, Idaho; and Nancy Gentry (Ron) of Lake Tapps, Washington. She has five grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. Sally and Ren Thomson and their family also survive her.

Her funeral will be held April 10 at 12:00 noon at the Presbyterian Church in Malad. Burial will be in the Malad Cemetery.