Beverly Ann Davis

In remembrance of Beverly Ann Jaquelyn (Boatman) Davis, born in Springfield, Ohio March 4th, 1937. She passed at the age of 85 on October 17th, 2022 at Hospice of Dayton. Beverly was preceded in death by her mother and father Olive & Clarence Boatman, three sisters; Arretta, Iris & Eileen, her husband of 60 years, Homer Dwight Davis, 24 Nov 2016 and Great Grandson Wyatt Spracklen, 12 Feb 2016. She is survived by her 3 children; Robin Kay Davis, Dennis Lee Davis, and Veronica Sue (Davis) & Donald Smith. She has 9 grandchildren; Andrew Spracklen, Adam Spracklen & Johanna Howes, Abigail Spracklen & RJ Quillen, Dustin (Catherine) Davis, Brittany (Jon) Waldron, Corey Davis & Chloe Rain, Jessica (Brock) Engi, Patricia Smith & Ed Johnson, and Chris (Jennifer) Smith. She has 8 great-grandchildren; Marcus Lincoln, Lindsey Spracklen, Evie & Nora Waldron, Emory Engi, Joseph, Tristan & Zoraya.

Beverly grew up in a household with 3 sisters who were a decade or more older than her and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Her mother Olive Bell (Foulke) Boatman and her father Clarence Boatman always had room for all who needed a place to stay. The Boatman family migrated from Scandinavia and the Foulke family migrated from Wales to eastern Pennsylvania in 1698. Beverly would share memories of her cousins Irene and Bonnie Foulke, the sisters lived with her for a while and they would go around singing and harmonizing like the Warby girls from "O Brother, Where Art Thou"? She was a member of the Christ Episcopal Church in Springfield and sang in the choir. Memorial Hall hosted many events through the 40's and 50's, Ringling Brothers Circus, Golden Gloves Boxing and many vaudeville acts. The circus came to town on the train and they lived near enough to the railroad to see all the animals get unloaded. Beverly attended many of these events and passed out tickets at the door with her friend. She and her friend would have front row seats at the Golden Gloves boxing, due to her friend being the daughter of the Golden Gloves manager. She said they were treated like royalty. Her many uncles were musicians and there were various people in her mother's home at any time. One story tells of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans coming to her home on their horses and she met Trigger. She also encountered an Indian chief named KniChi, who gave her a headdress which hung to the floor on her.

While attending Springfield High School she enjoyed archery, fencing, roller skating and has always dancing. After High School Beverly and Homer eloped and got married by the Justice of the Peace and then went off to Oklahoma for Homer's bootcamp in the Navy. They were stationed in Sanford, FL and gave birth to Robin and Dennis. After the Navy they moved back to Springfield, Ohio and gave birth to their third and last child Veronica. Beverly also took piano lessons throughout her childhood and became an accomplished pianist as an adult. Beverly played her piano most Christmas's while family and friends stood around her and sang Carols. Just weeks before her passing she was watching TCM and singing along with the movie! She introduced her two daughters to their first of many drum circles over 20 years ago. She became quite an accomplished djembe drummer and played various percussion instruments. She participated in various drum circles throughout Ohio and drummed at public events such as; The Settlers festival in Centerville, The Yellow Springs Street Fair, Halloween in the Dayton Oregon District, Fraze Pavilion as guests of Douglas Blue Feather an award-winning Flute Player, multiple Columbus drum circles and Ash Cave gathering of drummers. She enjoyed movies and the family would frequent the drive-in theater. She would always make the most amazing hamburgers wrapped in wax paper! They were the best! She liked many kinds of movies but a few of her favorites were the Rambo collection, Pretty Woman and Maleficent.


Beverly encouraged everyone to have an open mind and shared much with regards to her opinion of spiritual knowledge believing in the Great Creator and communing with ancestors and nature. She enjoyed sharing ideas about reincarnation, fate, sacred places and the unknown. She always had an interest in the paranormal, ghosts, aliens, UFO's, premonitions and meaningful dreams. She enjoyed star gazing and meteor showers, the phases of the moon and eclipses. She absolutely loved space and was thrilled by the images from Hubble and the new Web space telescope. She even created space artwork acrylic on canvas. She was a collector of rocks, gems, meteorites, fossils, shells, coral and Stamps. She loved the outdoors and took the family camping throughout the years. She truly enjoyed collecting all sorts of things including vintage and antique items she sold at Springfield and Ceasar Creek flea markets and Yesterdays Antiques and Collectibles in downtown Springfield. Beverly enjoyed talking with everyone and playing cards or board games. She liked crafts and learning new things. She loved traveling and exploring new places all throughout her life. She never met a stranger. The family traveled up and down the East Coast and as far west as Colorado. She loved animals and had many pets throughout her life!

Family meant everything to her and she and Homer would have large gatherings in their home nearly every Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving. They would prepare huge feasts for the family and anyone and everyone was welcome! Feeding people and bringing family together was love to her! Beverly and Homer would dress as Santa and Mrs. Clause and brought joy to many children and their families, including their own grandchildren. They even delivered candy boxes to the entire elementary school of Perin Woods as Mr & Mrs Claus.

More than anything else, Beverly always encouraged her children, grandchildren and their friends to be true to yourself. She made them all feel they could be anything they wanted and were important and worthy of love. Beverly will be missed by many! Her Love and encouragement will live on forever! She was a sweet and beautiful soul who imparted wisdom and compassion to many throughout her life. Beverly is a true blessing to all who had the privilege of knowing this most amazing woman! We miss her greatly! We love you Mommy, Grandma, and Great Grandma and friend! All our love! Peace be with you beautiful soul!

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