Neva F. Davis

Ninety plus years ago on July 29th, author of Hope for the Future, The New Earth, Neva (Keiser) Davis was born to Clayton and Jessie Keiser, in Holly, Michigan. Neva was the third of four children for the Keisers. She had two older sisters, Viola and Voy, and her younger brother, Orris. Neva graduated from Bethel Academy in 1940 (now Wisconsin Academy). Later, she attended Emmanuel Missionary College (now Andrews University) where she received a degree in Elementary Education and her teacher's certificate in 1942. She went on to teach kindergarten through ninth grade in a one room schoolhouse, where she had to fire up the potbelly stove every morning to warm the room. Then, the Beloit School Board had an emergency teacher shortage; they called on Neva to become their English teacher.

While in college, she met Arthur Davis, her future husband. Neva's father, Clayton, a Seventh-Day Adventist minister, married the two on June 20th, 1943. They settled in Beloit, Wisconsin where Arthur worked on a dairy farm, and Neva was a homemaker. At the end of the war, the happy couple moved to Green Bay, where Art founded Davis Insulation with his brother and father. In April of 1947, the couple welcomed their only child into the world. Jim Davis was Neva's pride and joy. Bringing him to Sabbath programs, teaching bible school to the youth, and taking part in the Women's Christian Temperance Union gave her a sense of great fulfillment.

Her hobbies included photography, international traveling, writing poetry and prose, attending camp-meetings, and creating original musical compositions to honor the Lord. She enjoyed spending time with her three grandchildren and more recently, her two great-grandchildren. Additionally, she took pleasure in using her computer for communication. Whether it was sending out an update on a Sabbath dinner, portraits of relatives, photographs of local scenery, news stories, or a humorous forward, Neva's computer was her lifeline to the world, and her way to stay close to her friends near and far. In her lifetime, an accomplishment she took great pride in was founding the successful and long-lasting summer vacation bible school program at the S.D.A. church. The last year's of her life, she devoted her energy to writing and publishing a biblical novella. Truly, Neva's faith provided her with solace and purpose in her life.

Neva was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur D. Davis; sisters, Viola and Voy; and her daughter-in-law, Judy Davis.

Survivors include her brother, Orris (Rachel) Keiser; son, James Stewart Davis, and his partner Carol Burks; three grandchildren: Bram (Chie) Davis, and their children, Luke and Hannah Davis, of Battle Creek, Michigan; Brooke Davis, and Summer Ashburn both of Indianapolis.

Family and friends may call Monday, November 26, 2012, at Newcomer Funeral Home, 340 S. Monroe Ave., Green Bay, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm. Visitation will continue on Tuesday at Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 1414 Shawano Ave., Green Bay, from 10:30am until the time of service at 11:00am.

The family wishes to express heartfelt gratitude to all of Neva's patient caregivers who helped Neva to stay in her beloved home and make her feel at ease in the last days of her life.

In lieu of flowers, Neva would appreciate a donation to the Hospice Program of Aurora Visiting Nurses' Association.