Barbara Davis

Barb Dooley Davis, age 69, a resident of Brandon, Mississippi, passed away Thursday, October 22, 2020 at her home surrounded by her family. Visitation was held Sunday, October 25, 2020 at Ott and Lee Funeral Home in Brandon from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. Monday. Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home with burial in Lakeland Place Garden Park Cemetery in Flowood, MS.

Barbara (“Barb”) was born August 17, 1951 in Ruston, LA to James “Jimmy” Dooley and Francis Cook Brown. She grew up in Ruston with her mom, Fran, two sisters --Bec and Debbie, and just down the road from her beloved grandparents, PawPaw and Mama Cook. After graduating from Ruston High School in 1969, Barb went off to Bethany Nazarene College in Oklahoma where she met the love of her life, Lex Davis. Barb and Lex married on November 20, 1970 and raised three children, Lex Jr., Laurin, and Lisa.  Barb poured herself into motherhood. From birthday parties and major holidays to simple, everyday moments, Barb made each of her children --and everyone else who knew her-- feel incredibly special and loved.

Barb was a longtime member of the First Church of the Nazarene where she taught Sunday School, led Bible studies, and sang in the choir. For the last several years, Barb and Lex attended Fannin Baptist Church in Brandon. While Barb’s faith and family were always the center of her time and energy, she somehow still managed to find time for others. Barb never met a stranger and opened her home and heart to all. She regularly hosted meals for many and took in people who needed food, shelter, or friendship. Whether through her work in PTA or in her job as a Construction Reporter for McGraw Hill Publishing, Barb lit up every room she entered and brought kindness to all she knew.

Barb especially enjoyed being a grandmother to her seven grandchildren. Ranging in age from 5 to 30, Barb’s grandchildren were her joy. She read stories, cooked meals, gave hugs and kisses, attended ballgames and recitals, made crafts, sent cards, gave the best back tickles, and taught each one of them about Jesus. If she wasn’t physically with her children and grandchildren, you can guarantee she was talking about them.

Barb loved the Lord, loved her family, and loved her life. She always felt blessed, but the last several years were especially sweet as her loving husband, Lex, retired, and the two of them spent their days together, traveling, having “date days,” and seeing grandkids. Barb was a great cook and an avid reader. She loved to be in her beautiful backyard, surrounded by Lex, her dog, Prissy, her kids, and grandkids. She will be missed by all who loved and knew her.

Barb was preceded in death by her father, James “Jimmy” Dooley and her grandparents, Fairy Lilian Tomlinson Cook and Daniel B. (“DB”) Cook. Barb is survived by her husband of 50 years, Lex H. Davis, Sr.; mother, Fran (Max) Brown; children, Lex (Paula) Davis, Laurin (Kevin) Hamilton, and Lisa (Nick) Doty; grandchildren, Alexis Davis, Harlan Davis, Laney McGuffee, Rigdon Reeves, Ruby Cate Doty, Jennings Hamilton and Jules Hamilton; sisters, Rebekah (Jonson) Huang, Debbie (Michael) Titone; brothers, Ricky Dooley, Russ Dooley and Steven D. Dooley; other siblings Rhonda Jones, Marie Curry, Brenda Forney, and Mike Forney; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends.