Donna May Davies
April 10, 1933-Dec. 17, 2025
EMPORIA — Donna May Davies, Reading, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, at Homestead of Emporia. She was 92.
She was born April 10, 1933, in Emporia, the daughter of Ellsworth and Caroline (Winter) House. She attended Emporia High School, where she graduated with the Class of 1951.
Donna was working at the Lyon County Extension Office when she met the love of her life, Jacob “Clint” Davies. The two were joined in marriage Oct. 31, 1954, at the First Christian Church in Emporia. They began their lives together in a small home near the Marais des Cygnes River, east of Reading. In the early 1960s, they built a new home on the river. In the early 1970s, they relocated their home and several outbuildings to their current location on higher ground east of Reading. Donna and Clint enjoyed over 63 years of marriage before Clint’s passing on Jan. 16, 2018.
Donna was a gifted musician and shared her gift for over 50 years as the pianist and organist for the Reading United Methodist Church. Donna and Clint were dedicated members of the Reading United Methodist Church, and Donna furthered her service work as a member of the church’s women’s organizations and teaching Sunday school for many years.
During the earlier years of her career as a homemaker, mother and farm wife, time was a premium, yet Donna still found enough for other interests. She enjoyed quilting, painting and baking. No one ever left her table hungry, and she was well known for her cinnamon rolls and her gravy. She was always willing to make room for one more at the table, and turned nobody away.
In addition to her husband, Donna was also preceded in death by three brothers, Robert House, Dean House and Bill House.
She will live on in the hearts and memories of her daughter, Jann Briggs (Scott), Reading; her sons, Jay Davies (Teena), Reading, and Jim Davies (Angela), Lebo; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; numerous extended family members; and a community of friends.
Services were held at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 30, 2025, at the Reading United Methodist Church. Burial followed at the Reading Cemetery, next to her husband Clint.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Reading United Methodist Church or Hand In Hand Hospice, and sent in care of the Jones VanArsdale Funeral Home, P.O. Box 43, Lebo, KS 66856.
Condolences may be left at VanArsdaleFS.com.
