Eleanor Frances White Davis

Eleanor Frances White Davis, 92, born in Waco, TX on Sept 30,1933. Deceased on Oct 8, 2025, in Granbury, TX.

A visitation will be held Thursday, October 16, 2025, from 4:30-6:30 pm in the chapel at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey. Services will be Friday, October 17, 2025, at 11:30 am in the Chapel at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey, with Reverend Ron Durham officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery.

Eleanor was a lifelong servant, minister, teacher and musician. She had a career as a professional singer, performing in musicals and many other choral settings. She held leading roles in productions including “Madame Butterfly”, “Amahl and the Night Visitors” and many others. Later in life she became a prolific composer, writing many songs which were featured in her church work.

Eleanor graduated from UTEP with teaching and music degrees. She taught public schools for several years, before devoting herself to raising her children. But she continued to teach piano, and English classes for international students throughout her life.

Eleanor followed her husband, Leslie, in his church work across the world. Usually in each location, she would become active in playing the piano, singing in choirs, teaching Bible Studies and leading women’s groups. Each stop gave her another opportunity to impact lives in her circle of influence.

Places served included Ensley, AL, Winnsboro and Alexandria, LA, Jackson, MS, Spring Branch, Baytown, Stephenville, Brownwood, Wichita Falls, and Arlington, TX and Nassau, Bahamas.

Eleanor loved to bake. Her kitchen was always busy with the smells of cookies, pies and cakes for various occasions.

Even in her later years she continued to impact lives and influence others. A week before she passed, her hospice nurse said to the family “I want to live more like Eleanor!”

She was preceded in death by her husband Leslie Wayne Davis, her parents, AC and Frances White, sister Margaret Eisenbeck and brother James Robert White.

She is survived by sons Robert Leslie and wife Susan, of Longmont, CO, David Wayne and wife Marci, of Granbury, TX and Paul Arthur and wife Lindsay, of Denton, TX. Also, grandchildren Galen, Taylor, Austin, Hunter, Ellie and Rhett, plus step- grandchildren Maci Samuelson and Maddi Lattaway.

The family has requested that, if interested, in lieu of flowers please donate to PEO (Philanthropic Educational Organization) in memory of Eleanor Davis at 3700 Grand Ave. Des Moines, Iowa 50312.