Carolyn Rae Davis
July 21, 1934 – May 12, 2022

Davis, Carolyn Rae (Callie) 87 of McCammon Idaho passed away May 12, 2022 in Pocatello
Idaho. She was born Carolyn Rae Carlile on July 21,1934 in Downey Idaho to Lewis William
Carlile and Wilda Rae Lyon Carlile. She is the youngest of four girls. A half sister Dorothy and
two sisters Janice and Joanne. She loved her sisters. She was very close to Janice, visiting her
often throughout their lives.
Callie grew up on a large farm in Riddyville Idaho. She loved spending time with her father
outdoors especially when he took her fishing. She also enjoyed working with the sheep and
raising bees. She was taught by her mother to cook and sew which they both enjoyed. She
became an accomplished seamstress, sewing her own clothes at age 13.
She attended school in McCammon where she graduated as valedictorian in 1952. In 1953 she
moved to Pocatello and enrolled in vo-tech at Idaho State College, now Idaho State University
where she received her degree in secretarial training. She continued to take classes at ISC as
well as working several jobs including being a secretary at J.R. Simplot, working in records for
the Pocatello Police Department and as a librarian at the college library.
She ultimately graduated with honors receiving her Bachelor of Arts in English in 1965. During
this time she met, fell in love with, and married Professor John B. Davis. They had many
interests in common including art, photography and sewing. John and Callie spent a lot of time
at their cabin at Hebgen Lake in Montana alone and with friends. They were there when the 7.5
earthquake hit in 1959 and caused the flood making them scramble for higher ground. In the
summers there, they took part in a cattle drive where she cooked meals for all the men.
In 1968 Callie and John spent the year traveling through the Southwest and Mexico. In 1969
John unexpectedly passed away. Callie took comfort in the memories they shared, the support
of her sister Janice and in her little dog Cindy that she had for many years.
She later entered post graduate work in 1970, taking classes in Art History, Spanish, French and
Physics achieving high honors. While attending school her interest and love of antiques inspired
her to become part owner in an antique shop in Pocatello.
Callie purchased her little home in McCammon in 1974. She worked hard at restoring it,
enjoying every minute of it. She took pride in her home. She enjoyed gardening, growing herbs,
vegetables, flowers and apricot trees. She was a hobby photographer, artist, poet and even a
belly dancer. She continued to sew, decorating her home with and wearing the many things she
made. She collected native American artifacts and jewelry. She continued to buy and sell
antiques and filled her home with them. Callie loved trying new recipes with unique ingredients.
She learned how to make wine, growing her own grapes and perfecting her dandelion and
chokecherry wines which she said were delicious.
Callie is survived by her brother in law Howard Hall and several nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents Lewis William Carlile and Wilda Rae Lyon Carlile, her
husband John Baird Davis and her sisters Dorothy (Gerald) Weeding, Janice (Howard) Hall and
Joanne Carlile.
The family would like to express their thanks to The Gables memory care staff and Symbii
Home Health and Hospice.
Graveside services will be held Friday, May 20, 2022 @ 2:00 PM in the Mountain View
Cemetery