Selma Elnora Ray Davis was born April 14, 1939 in a small rural home south of Green Castle, Missouri. She was the second child out of 8 for Hallie and Margaret Ruth (Jackson) Ray. While growing up she worked and helped with the care of her siblings. She graduated from Green City High School in the class of 1957.
Selma entered the workforce and was employed with International Shoe Company for 15 years in Hannibal and Kirksville, MO. She moved her employment to Burroughs/Standard Register and was employed with the company for 30 years until retiring in 2002. During her careers she was united in marriage to Gerald Dee Davis on March 15, 1964 in Kirksville, MO. They eventually established themselves on the Davis family farm in Locust Hill, MO and over the years expanded their ownership of farm ground while raising cattle and hogs.
In December of 1975, a daughter was born named Michelle Raylene. Selma was a fantastic mother who never missed her activities, always helped with her school work, doctored all her boo boos, and made sure her family had a home cooked meal each night.
Gerald and Selma loved to travel, but once they retired, they primarily spent 6 months out of the year in Texas or Arizona. Selma enjoyed playing golf, working in her yards, caring for her flowers, reading, cooking/baking, and making hand-stitched quilts to display. Selma was a member of the Locust Hill Community Church in Locust Hill, MO.
She is proceeded in death by her husband Gerald Davis, father and mother Hallie and Ruth Ray, father and mother-in-law Dewey and Getrude “Babe” Davis, sisters Kay Hays, Judy (Larry) Harden, brothers Orlan Ray, Glen Dale Ray, and brother-in-law’s Denny Hayward, Bob Pope, and Donald (Sue) Davis.
Surviving family members are her daughter Michelle (Reo) Haynes, sisters Margaret Hayward, Connie (Spencer) Berry, Marylou Pope, brother-in-law Clifford Hays, sister-in-law’s Jane Ray, Caroline Ray, Linda Davis-Wingfield, and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held in the Hudson Rimer Funeral Home in Edina, MO. Visitation will be Saturday, September 6, 2025, from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. and funeral services will follow at 2 p.m.
Ben Bradley will officiate the services. Burial will be in the Locust Hill Cemetery west of Novelty, MO.
Memorials are suggested to Locust Hill Cemetery. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1, Edina, Mo 63537.