Judith Davis

Judith "Judy" Anne Rice Davis, 87, of Abilene passed away peacefully on Friday, May 16, 2025. Visitation will be on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Elmwood Funeral Home, 5750 Hwy 277 South, Abilene. The funeral service will be on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. also at Elmwood officiated by Jerry Stewart with burial to follow in Elmwood Memorial Park.

Judith Anne Latimer Rice was born in Rochester, New York, on March 11, 1938, to parents Edith Mary Nungall Latimer and George Wilbur Rice.

Judy and her family moved to San Antonio, Texas, in 1953 as her dad was a Colonel in the United States Army. She married John Edwin Steele and started her family. They would go on to live in Colorado Springs, Colorado; Germany, and San Angelo, Texas. She married Lincoln Leroy Davis on May 15, 1971. Judy eventually moved to Abilene and lived there until her passing.

She was an interior decorator specializing in custom window treatments and drapes for the Sears Roebuck company for many years. Judy especially enjoyed cooking and baking for her family and friends making the largest platters at Christmas filled with cookies, fudge, divinity, and all kinds of goodies. She had a liking for sweets herself. She loved to play cards and games, and she also loved to travel. After retirement, Judy was able to do volunteer work for the Big Country Retired & Senior Volunteer Program, the American Red Cross, Sears Methodist Hospice, ASAP Pharmacy at Dyess, Bowie School Lunch Program, and Meals on Wheels. She attended Aldersgate United Methodist Church and the Adventurous Sunday School class.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Edith and George Rice; John E. Steele; Lincoln L. Davis; her daughter, Sandy Steele; her brother, Robert Rice; her sister-in-law, Berit Roman; and special friend, Barb Garman.

Judy is survived by daughters, Brenda Jones, Pam (Gary) Scoggin; sons, Don (Debbie) Steele, Ken (Nakeya) Steele; stepson, Lincoln (Karen) Davis, Jr.; and brother, John (D'Ette) Rice.

Known as Granny by her grandchildren Leah (Joe) Gomez, Brennon (Amanda) Skaggs, Curry Jones, Bayleigh (Grayson) Pennington, Wey (Mandi) Scoggin, Blake Steele, Natalie (Cody) Church, Shay Cervantes, Ashlee Gassiott, Dayton Booth, and Ayden Booth.

Great-grandchildren Jace & JoLeigh; Rhett & Sloane; Annie (July 2025); Brock & Garrison; Brenlee; Victory, Braxton, Aspen, & Oaklen; and Oaklynn, Briggs, & Rhett.

Nieces, nephews, and their families: Janet, Lucie, Terry, Dawn, Robert, and Paul.

Her loving companion, John Muhleman III; special friends and their families, Bonnie Thrasher, Beverly Vaughan Voit, and Barbara Edgett; and her furever buddy, Raulee.

Special thanks to Dr. James Purpura, nurses Charlie & Melanie; home health therapists and nurses, Shannon, Misha, Kayla, and Laci; her cul-de-sac family on James Court; and the staffs at Mesa Springs, Hendrick CCU, and Hendrick Hospice.

Memorials can be made to Meals on Wheels or a charity of your choice.