September 16, 2019

Oleta Davidson

08-07-1921 to 09-14-2019

Linn County News

Published Sept. 18, 2019

Oleta Davidson, age 98, Hume, Mo., passed away on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019. Oleta, third child of seven, was born to Samuel and Janie Gibson Kilgore on Aug. 7, 1921, in Huntsville, Mo. She moved to Hume with her parents when she was 16 and graduated from Hume High School in 1940. 

On Sept. 19, 1941, she married Wayne R. Davidson in San Diego, Calif. They returned to Hume in 1944. To this union one son, Samuel, and three daughters, Janie, Kathy and Patti, were born. 

Oleta was a member of the Hume United Methodist Church for over 70 years. She was a Sunday school teacher and still served on the Hume United Methodist Church board. Oleta belonged to the quilting circle, serving as treasurer. She enjoyed all kinds of crafts and quilt making, designing and hand quilting over 100 quilts for family and friends. A favorite pastime was cooking big meals for her family, coconut pie being her specialty. Oleta served as PTA president, helped at all school activities, babysat Sherry Jo Clark for six years, and worked several years at Edmondson's clothing store in Fort Scott.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Wayne on March 26, 1986; a son, Sam, of Hume; a daughter, Janie Ruble, of Fort Scott; daughter-in-law Kate Davidson; and six siblings, Clarence, Marvin, Jay, Roy, Frank, and Marilyn. 

Oleta is survived by two daughters, Kathy Whitehead and husband Lonnie, and Patti Smith and husband Ken; eight grandchildren, Jeff Davidson, Kim Sala, Dawn Johnson, Janette Boone, David Ruble, Amanda Scrogham, Evan Whitehead and Scott Smith; 22 great grandchildren, Cheyenne Lewis, Samantha Davidson, Zoe and Cory Sala, Taylar Hough, Wade Johnson, Brooks Danahy, Claire, Cline, Olivia and Eleanor Boone, Wayne and Mason Ruble, Aidan and Owen Scrogham, Elin, Dresden, Sosie and Brighton Whitehead, and Davidson, Phoebe and Kit Smith; and three great, great grandchildren, Brooklyn Lewis, and Colt and Finley Hough.

Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, at the Hume United Methodist Church with burial in the Hume Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18, at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Pleasanton Chapel.

Contributions are suggested to the Hume United Methodist Church, c/o Schneider Funeral Home, P.O. Box 525, Pleasanton, KS 66075. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.