Wanda Florene "Dave" Davis, born January 20, 1929 in St. Louis, Mo. passed away November 5, 2023 at her home, The Colonnade, in O'Fallon, Ill. Surviving are her four children, Daniel (Ida), Douglas, Donna (Bruce) Bader, and Connie White. She was so proud of her grandchildren Jason, Allyson, Lindsay, Melissa, Matthew, Alexandra, and Jonathon "JD" Davis; and great-grandchildren Kyler, Maxwell, Olivia, August, Reed, Emma, Maren, Daniel, and nieces and nephews.

Mom was preceded in death by her parents Alonzo Buford and Goldie Irene, brother Lonnie, and her husband of 69 years William August "Bill" Roewe whom she married on January 13, 1951 at St. Francis Xavier Church of St. Louis.

Mom was a member of a generation that formed the very backbone of the American 20th Century Society – a role she and Dad instilled in their family. Mom did squeeze in time to take numerous college courses to feed her intellectual curiosities and also enjoyed a side gig of selling wigs out of her home in the 1960s and 1970s. Mom's mother and father met in Kirksville, Mo. Her mother was a young age of 18 when Mom was born. Her father, "Bufe", was a skilled telegrapher for the railroad, giving them some security during the Great Depression. At the same time this came with a price: her father being a wanderer, moving to such locations as Kirksville, Mo.; Colorado; Eureka, Pittsburgh and Island Mountain, Calif.; and Pontiac, Mich., before returning to St. Louis, Mo. at the age of 16. Mom attended Cleveland High School for her senior year, graduating in 1946. During their time in California, Mom lived in Island Mountain. Mom and her parents lived in an outfitted boxcar for 19 months, a combined telegrapher office intended to warn the railroad about problems in the mountains. The boxcar was located just 50 yards off the main line, recalling the redwood trees, rattlesnakes, swimming in the Eel River, her little friend Doris Swenson and her father listening to Joe Louis boxing matches.

Mom was a stenographer student working in the Adams Drug Store, downtown St. Louis, where her future husband Bill was working while a student at St. Louis University. Dad told us he loved Mom at first sight but was scared to ask her out because she was so good-looking. But obviously, he mustered the courage to do so and the rest was history. Their 72-year courtship and marriage brings a song to mind by one of their favorite singers, Frank Sinatra: "Once Upon a Time" ('a girl with moonlight in her eyes put her hand in mine, but that was once upon a time'). Mom converted to the Catholic faith when marrying Dad in 1951, her spirituality being a gradual but steady evolution over the years, culminating in her arrival at The Colonnade working closely with others organizing various Catholic functions.

As most common of those who live a long, productive life, Mom's life was composed of many chapters. When one looks back over those many chapters that we witnessed, it becomes evident that Mom's chapter was the most compelling. Since Dad's passing in April 2020 and the continued witnessing of the passing of other family members and friends to the point of her being the last of all to survive – how lonely that must have been. Mom's sole-minded goal to not be a burden to any of her children, grandchildren, friends, Colonnade workers and strangers was no doubt her shining moment. Her empathy for others' difficulties, while seldom if ever bringing attention to her own ailments was a legacy that her children and grandchildren and even the older grandchildren were witness to and will take with them. Thank you Mom for such a priceless gift of selflessness that will be passed on to our coming generations.

A special note of appreciation to all those who persevere in caring for the physically and mentally weak, and a shout-out for the Staff at The Colonnade. Also, great appreciation for the role that Family Hospice played in her closing days.

In lieu of flowers, Mom's expressed wish was to remember St. Vincent de Paul, St. Clare Catholic School, and Habitat for Humanity – O'Fallon, Illinois Chapter. Condolences may be shared at wfh-ofallon.com.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 am, Friday, Nov. 10, 2023 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, O'Fallon, Ill., with Rev. Nick Junker, presiding. After mass, all are invited to join the family for a visitation and luncheon and story-telling in the church hall. Burial will be private.