Shirley Ann (Varney) Davis

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Shirley Ann Davis (Varney) on Monday, February 10, 2025 at her home in her beloved town of Overton. She was born to parents J. A. and Madeline Varney on March 26, 1931 in a house across from the present day Overton Pharmacy, soon moving to their house on Commerce Street, which still stands today.

Her childhood was filled with small town adventures while growing up during the Great Depression; the discovery of the East Texas oilfield and then WWII. There was much horse riding with her friends; she had a pet javelina named Lina and pet crows named Joseph and Josephine. She also spent a great deal of time at her grandparent’s farm in Arp.

Shirley attended school in Overton where she met her future husband, Bill Davis. She graduated high school in 1949 as Valedictorian, then attending Kilgore College for 2 years and then on to the University of Texas at Austin, where in 1953 she graduated with a MS degree in education.  Shortly thereafter, she and Bill married and moved to Junction for one year for his first coaching job.  At the end of that year a job opened in Overton and they moved back home permanently in 1954.

In 1954, their daughter Elizabeth Ann (Beth) was born and son William Michael (Bill) was born in 1958.

Shirley taught elementary school at Leverett’s Chapel for a number of years which she greatly enjoyed. After Bill’s retirement in the early 90’s they enjoyed traveling, especially to Las Vegas.  Sadly, Beth passed away in 1997 and then her husband bill in 2020.  After Bill’s passing, she continued to live in Overton; driving around every day of the week like clockwork to see what was happening in the town she dearly loved.

Shirley was an incorrigible chocolate consumer and lover of game shows, especially Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. She was preceded in death by her parents, J. A. and Madeline Varney; brother Sonny Varney; daughter Beth and husband Bill.

Shirley is survived by her son William (Bill) Davis and wife Lisa of San Antonio; grandchildren, Victoria Mullins and husband Aaron of Beaumont; Alex St. John of Beaumont; Diana Davis of Austin; Emma Davis of New York City and great grandchildren: Owen, Preston, Madeline Mullins of Beaumont.

Funeral service for Shirley Ann Davis (Varney) will be at 11 am, Monday, February 17, 2025, at Cottle-Pearson Funeral Home Chapel, Overton, Texas with Rev. Fred Parsons officiating. Burial will follow at Overton City Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 10am to 11am Monday, February 17, 2025, at Cottle-Pearson Funeral Home in Overton, Texas

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Skipper and Terry Honeycutt; C. R. and Sandra Evans; Cindy Brown; the staff at Hope Cancer Center especially Dr. Ariel Lee (retired); the staff of Overton Pharmacy and Medical Clinic and the staffs of Choice Hospice and Home-Aid caregivers.

Pallbearers; Skipper Honeycutt, Carl Vetsch, Michael Davis, Walter Priddy, Don Burrows, and CR Evans. 

Honorary Pallbearers; Johnny Harper, Joe Johnston, Woodie Tipps, and Janice Bagley.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Cottle-Pearson Funeral Home, Overton, Texas.

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