Betty Lee Davidson, age 89, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed peacefully on May 20, 2025, in New Melle, Missouri. Born on April 20, 1936, in Unionville, Missouri, Betty was the cherished daughter of Leo and Oma Fay (Burns) Hecker. She grew up surrounded by a large family, sharing childhood laughter and creating warm memories with her siblings Robert, Billy, Vera, Carol, Joe, and Mary Faye.

Betty graduated from William Chrisman High School in Independence, Missouri. On June 6, 1954, Betty married the love of her life, Wayne Davidson, in Independence. They built a wonderful life of love and devotion that endured over seven decades. Betty was the mother of five children, Denise, Nancy, Marilee, Jennifer, and Joseph, and grandmother to 16 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Wayne and Betty lived in several cities in Missouri, Indiana, Nebraska, and Florida. However, Tarkio, Missouri, is where they spent most of their lives and it was always considered home for them having been blessed with so many friends. Betty’s greatest pride came from serving and caring for her family. She was a wonderful homemaker. She demonstrated her love for her family by the care she provided for them. She enjoyed cooking and baking homemade pies to her family’s delight. Betty was an accomplished seamstress and handmade many of her children’s clothes throughout the years, along with prom dresses, cheerleading outfits or whatever special event outfit need there was. At every home they had, Betty was very industrious. She contributed her decorating skills by painting or wallpapering with meticulous skill and precision.

Betty’s love of Jesus and her faith was extremely important to her. Wherever Wayne and Betty lived, they always attended church and she was committed to her Lord. She also loved music, especially Gospel and Christian music. Wayne and Betty attended many concerts in Missouri and Florida and her love of music was forever with her.

Betty also had a deep love for dogs and would always talk about how much she loved them! She was able to spend time with Rylee and Wally in her last years which brought her much joy and comfort.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Robert and Billy; sisters, Vera and Carol; brothers-in-law, Buzz Simmons and Buddy Fischer; sisters-in-law, Helen Hecker and Janie Hecker; parents-in-law, Kenneth and Helen Davidson; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, JR and Jean Davidson; nephew, Kent; grandson, Maxon; and son-in-law, Duke. Grandson Trevor Wells joined his Grandma in heaven June 14, 2025. Betty is survived by her husband, Wayne Davidson; four daughters, Denise Jackson (Gary), Nancy Meredith, Marilee Bouldin (Doug), and Jennifer Willis, and one son, Joseph Davidson (Jo Ann); brother, Joe Hecker, and sister, Mary Faye Fischer; sister-in-law, Janet Pyle (Jerry); numerous nephews and nieces; grandchildren, Heath Nuckolls (Carrie), Jodi Blumhorst (Jeremy), Brock Nuckolls (Kymm), Nicole Wells, Tyler Wells (Jennifer), Trent Wells, Amanda McAtee, Christian McAtee, Colton McAtee, Tabre Willis, Jasmine Willis, Adler Davidson, Erik Davidson, Devin Fuhring, Ivan Fuhring, Kristi McEnaney (Rod), and Deanna Anderson (Dave).

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. in Leitch Chapel at Rankin Hall on the Tarkio Tech campus in Tarkio with visitation one hour prior to the service. Memorials may be directed to the Tarkio College Alumni Association or Tarkio Technology Institute.