Gladys "Jo" Owen Davidson

View Video TributeView Funeral WebcastGladys "Jo" Owen Davidson, 92, retired bacteriologist and former longtime resident of Locust Street, died Saturday, December 27, 2014 at Maury Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be conducted Friday at 11:00 A.M. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with Dr. Jon Nelms officiating. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends Thursday from 4:00 - 6:00 P.M. and Friday from 9:00 - 11:00 A.M. at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials to Covenant Church, P. O. Box 1127, Cookeville, TN 38503. Condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com. Born October 27, 1922 in the family home place on Frenchman Hill in Mt. Pleasant, Gladys Josephine Artificial Kathline Mary Elizabeth Owen was the daughter of the late William Jay Owen and Anna Wagner Owen. But she always said you can call me "Jo". On November 11, 1944, she married Bruce Amos Davidson who preceded her in death on March 7, 1994. A graduate of Hay Long High School, her career spanned thirty years at Dairymen, Inc. in Nashville and Lewisburg where she retired as bacteriologist. In her early years, she enjoyed playing tennis and league bowling with her sisters. A sports enthusiast, she favored the Tennessee VOLS, Atlanta Braves, and Tennessee Titans. She was a former longtime member of Highland Park Baptist Church before moving her membership to Northside Baptist Church where she had worshipped for several years. Jo went to be with the Lord peacefully after enjoying a wonderful Christmas with family and friends. One of many blessings was spending Christmas with her sisters, Sadie Carr of Savannah, Georgia, Ann (Deloy) Nelms of Cookeville, and Billiej Boshers of Nashville. Just weeks before, she cherished spending time in Florida with her daughter, Nancy Kay "Niki" Davidson of Columbia, grandson, Morgan Whitehead and his wife Deborah, and great grandchildren, Ryan and Hannah. A highlight of the trip was enjoying the surf breaking over her bare feet as she directed the search for the perfect seashell. Survivors include two daughters, Jo Ellen Farmer of Greenbrier; Nancy Kay "Niki" Davidson of Columbia; sisters, Sadie Carr of Savannah, Georgia; Ann (Deloy) Nelms of Cookeville; Billiej Boshers of Nashville; grandchildren, Morgan (Deborah) Whitehead; David (Deborah) Farmer, Bruce Farmer, Mark (Gina) Farmer; great grandchildren, Ryan Whitehead, Hannah Whitehead, Gordon (Lacey) Farmer, Jessica (Chris) Perry, Caleb (Tiffany) Farmer, Christian Farmer, Daniel Farmer, Markie (Ross) Hayes, Ara (Lee) Watts, Kayla Dugger; five great great grandchildren; nieces, Marsha Woody, Patti Lyons, Susan Plank, Cindy Nelms; nephews, Art "Butch" Thompson, and Dr. Jon Nelms. She was preceded in death by sisters, Florence Lee "Flucy" Owen Thompson and Ruby Owen. Active pallbearers will be Morgan Whitehead, David Farmer, Bruce Farmer, Mark Farmer, James Woody, and Art "Butch" Thompson. Honorary pallbearers include Delilah & Olin Kees, Olumide Aderoba, Alfred Haywood, Carolyn Baker, Dr. John Simmons, and Cindy Farmer.