Obituary for Jean Witt Davis
Beverly Jean Witt was born in Washington D.C. on December 21, 1939. She is preceded in death by her parents Roy B. Witt and Dorothy P. Witt, her sister Carolyn D. Witt, and her husband of 64 years Lawrence Harlan Davis. Jean enjoyed a full life of blessings, joy, and peace. Following a happy childhood in Washington DC, she married Harlan and spent the next 64 years in loving support and commitment to family. They were the proud parents of Lawrence H. Davis, Jr, Cristina D. Hamman, and Leigh D. Purcell. They had a loving relationship with all their grandchildren, Lawrence H. Davis, III, Christopher D. Davis, Elizabeth L. Davis, Elise C. Davis, R. Palmer Purcell, Emma D. Purcell, Mia S. Purcell, Ana H. Swann, and Lysa H. Walters. Later in life they were delighted with the addition of great grandchildren Charlotte J. Davis, Lawrence H. Davis IV, Perry L. Davis, Ava G. Hamman, and the news of another on the way!
Jean accompanied and supported Harlan’s career as a US Foreign Service officer, living in six countries throughout Latin America. She learned Portuguese and Spanish early on eventually earning a master’s degree in both languages. She taught English, Spanish, and Portuguese in the various countries they lived. She was at his side for conferences and board meetings throughout Africa, Europe, and Asia. Their second career took them to her alma mater, the University of Georgia where she joined Harlan on the faculty, as a Spanish and Portuguese professor. They retired to the Northern Neck of Virginia in 2000 where she continued her teaching career at Rappahannock Community College.
Among her many passions was her love of writing, authoring two books. She had a passion for flower gardening which taught her firsthand about the miracles of nature and its cycles. Tennis, biking, and walking were important parts of her life. She adored three Labrador Retrievers over the years. Her foundation in faith informed her daily choices; she began every day reading her devotionals and journaling about her faith in our Almighty God, her life was an example of that. She was buried at her husband’s side at Totuskey Baptist Church on Sunday, June 4, 2023 followed by a celebration of life at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church. To God be the Glory for the life of Jean Witt Davis.
Jean accompanied and supported Harlan’s career as a US Foreign Service officer, living in six countries throughout Latin America. She learned Portuguese and Spanish early on eventually earning a master’s degree in both languages. She taught English, Spanish, and Portuguese in the various countries they lived. She was at his side for conferences and board meetings throughout Africa, Europe, and Asia. Their second career took them to her alma mater, the University of Georgia where she joined Harlan on the faculty, as a Spanish and Portuguese professor. They retired to the Northern Neck of Virginia in 2000 where she continued her teaching career at Rappahannock Community College.
Among her many passions was her love of writing, authoring two books. She had a passion for flower gardening which taught her firsthand about the miracles of nature and its cycles. Tennis, biking, and walking were important parts of her life. She adored three Labrador Retrievers over the years. Her foundation in faith informed her daily choices; she began every day reading her devotionals and journaling about her faith in our Almighty God, her life was an example of that. She was buried at her husband’s side at Totuskey Baptist Church on Sunday, June 4, 2023 followed by a celebration of life at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church. To God be the Glory for the life of Jean Witt Davis.