On Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at 12:20 p.m., the world lost a gentle soul, Gauvayhna Lue Davis, age 57. She was born May 11, 1953 to Vernon and Erma (Mackey) Jantz in Ellsworth, KS. She moved to Missouri as an adult and spent several years in California before coming back to Missouri to live. She married the love of her life, Bill Davis on August 19, 2000 and they have lived the past 13 years in Chadwick, MO. She is survived by two sons, Michael Shaffer, Matt Shaffer, one daughter, Melissa Shaffer and fiancé Brandon Waterman, all of Springfield; two step-daughters, Melissa McIntyre and husband Jason, Tonya Huey and husband David, one step-son Gerald Davis, all of Independence; seven grandchildren, Haley, Hannie, Lauren, Brittnie, Makaela, Mason and Casey; her father Vernon Jantz and wife Basil, Salina, KS; one sister Joyce Curtiss and husband James, Redlands, CA; one brother Jerry Jantz and wife Maggie, Bolton, MS; her step-father Jim Broyles, Springfield and her “best cousin” Marsha Creed and husband Jim, Hermitage. She was preceded in death by her mother, Erma Broyles. Gauvayhna was always a shy and timid person, but really came into her own after her marriage to Bill. He encouraged her to try new things and she eventually grabbed his coat tails, albeit white-knuckled, and hung on for the ride. Gauvayhna loved camping and riding the Chadwick trails on a 4-wheeler. They spent many hours camping in the woods with their children and enjoying life as it came along.Gauvayhna loved her step-children as if they were her own. After she was diagnosed with breast cancer, she was determined not to give up and to live her life as well as she was able. Gauvayhna was a stoic person and rarely complained but was always thinking about the feelings of other people; like her family and friends. As her disease progressed, she began looking ahead to what was to come. She was sad to leave her family here on earth, but was looking forward to being reunited with her family that has gone on before her. She made her peace and was ready to see her Lord. She was lovingly cared for by Bill who made sure she wanted for nothing. He was devoted to her and she was everlastingly grateful to him for the tender care she received. Her family will also forever be grateful to her neighbors and friends for the visits and help they gave whenever needed. Especially her neighbor, Melody who helped care for Gauvayhna in many ways. Her time is over, she fought the good fight and now she has a life free from pain and worries. The next time you see a starry sky and you see one star twinkling a little brighter than the others, give a wave and pull out a memory of Gauvayhna Lue Davis. Funeral services were 2:00 P.M. Saturday, January 15, 2011 in Barnes Family Funeral Home, Ozark. Burial followed in Chadwick Memorial Cemetery. Visitation was 6 to 8 P.M. Friday in the funeral home.
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