Theresa Oliva Ortiz Davis

Theresa Olivia Ortiz Davis departed her earthly home for her heavenly home on May 9, 2022, at the age of 85 in Evans, GA . “Terri” was born on December 30, 1936, in Goodland, KS to Jesse Peralez Ortiz and Trinidad Lumbreras Ortiz. She is preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Lt. Col. Kenneth “Kenny” Reed Davis, Sr.; her parents; six of her seven siblings; her grandson, Randall Wells; and her 1st husband, Coy Lee Wells, the father of her sons.

She is survived by her two sons, Stephen Lee Wells and Jeffrey Lee Wells (Teresa); her sister, Victoria Boling (Paul); her grandchildren, Wesley Wells (Donna), Heather Parrish (Andy), Jade Payne (Michael), and Morgan Wells; her great grandchildren, Victoria, Vivian, Lily-Ann, Emma-Lee, Isabella, and Aiden; her great great granddaughter, Rosalyn; a special family member, Cindy Wells; as well as nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her extended family, Charlene Davis Hiebel (Paul), Pamela Davis Jones, and Kenneth R Davis, Jr.; grandchildren, Michelle, Laura, Reed, and Greyson.

Terri graduated from high school in 1954 and pursued a nursing career graduating  from the St. Frances School of Nursing in Wichita, Kansas in 1960. She began her career in the Amarillo Texas Hospital in the eye unit.  While her boys were still young, her 1st husband, Coy Wells, was transferred to Japan. She was unable to work as a nurse there but found fulfillment with the FERN Club (Far East Registered Nurses) and had opportunities to give service with them.

She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and was married in the Washington, D.C. Temple, Kensington, MD, to Kenneth R. Davis, Sr. on Nov. 19, 1976.

She lived many years in the Waynesboro, GA (Burke County) area and worked at the Georgia Regional Mental Health Center.  Terri felt that working with these patients was her special calling.  She loved her patients and liked to do special things for them. A favorite part of that job was traveling throughout the Georgia area to train nursing home staff about infectious diseases so they could earn their CDC certifications.

She and Kenneth spent their final years in the Augusta, GA area where Terri continued to enjoy doing family history and actively participating in her church.  She loved sharing memories with her friends about her family experiences, her nursing career, and her and Kenneth’s life in their home at Kenwood Farms in Idlewood.

There will be a short graveside service at Old Church Cemetery, Waynesboro, GA on Saturday, May 14, 2022 at 2:00 PM with Lamar Willis officiating. The family will receive friends from 12:00 PM until 1:00 PM on Saturday, May14, 2022, at DeLoach-McKerley-Prescott Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, Terri would appreciate contributions to the Shriners Children’s Hospital: https://donate.lovetotherescue.org