Elda Faye Davidson
Elda Faye Davidson, 89 of Rockdale was welcomed to heaven on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. In true Faye fashion, she went on a leap year and made her exit from this life as unique as she was.
On Nov. 9, 1934, in the Northeast Milam County community of Belmena, Eliza Beth Dragoo and James Cleveland Gilliland welcomed twin girls...with Faye proudly boasting later in life she was the youngest.
She married her life-long dance partner, Henry Owen Davidson Sr., on June 5, 1954, in Milano. From this union, they had four children—Henry Owen Jr., Billy Lloyd, Ricky Joe and Lisa Faye.
She graduated at the top of her class from Milano High School and received a scholarship to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. Despite the scholarship grant, finances were tight so she wasn’t able to go.
She briefly tried city life in Houston with the phone company before deciding to return to Milam County to help take care of her mom (her dad passed away when she was 15). She worked for the hatchery, the bank and retired from Rockdale Federal Credit Union.
Along with being the wife of a cowboy and all that entailed, she enjoyed time spent with her quilting club, bowling, widow women’s breakfast, gardening, listening to the local news (Paul Harvey’s “The rest of the story”), reading The Rockdale Reporter, polka party time, going to gospel “sing-ins” with Big Henry, dancing, Diet Cokes, Merle Norman skincare, watching her “stories” and time with her family. Always a smile on her face, an old wives tale to share and “settin’ on go…woo, woo, woo”!
She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; brothers JC, Buck and Troy; and sisters Estelle and twin Ella Kaye.
Surviving are her children, Henry Owen Jr. and wife Sheila, Billy Lloyd and wife Leslie, Ricky Joe and wife Marlis, Lisa Faye and husband Duane; grandchildren, Duane Scott and wife Libbie, DeeAnne and husband Josh, Brooksy and husband Colby, Haley, Megan Beth and husband Michael, Heath and wife Deanna, Curtis Joe and wife Lauren, Will Owen, Reed “boy” and wife Tori, Alesi, Ayrton, Kelly and husband Joe, Kyler and wife Sonora; great-grandchildren Deven and wife Alex, Gracen, Joshua, Ashlyn, Ayla, Paisly, Owen, Maddox, Henry Joe, Oliver, Peyton, Daphne, Laurel, Wyatt, Callen, Tucker, Karter; and great-great-grandchildren Keegan and Aria.
Also sisters-in-law Barbara Gilliland, JoAnn Davidson, Dorothy Davidson; special friends Joni Stone and Geri Alexander and a host of family and friends.
A special thanks to Michelle Baban and everyone at Gentiva Hospice, Rockdale Estates & Rehabilitation and our entire community for the outpouring of love for our favorite spunky fiery redhead.
“I’m the richest woman in the world because I have the most beautiful children and grandchildren. Money can’t buy that.” ~ Elda Faye Gilliland Davidson