Bette Davis

Bette Davis, Bette with an E, Aunt Bets, BD, B, Ms. Davis, sister, and treasured friend, 80, slipped peacefully away on January 17, 2025, at her home in West Jordan surrounded by family and friends. Bette was born on March 22, 1944, in Tremonton, Utah, to Richard Blount and Lois Stokes Davis. Because the doctor didn’t arrive in time, her father delivered her. The doctor charged only $5 for his fee.

Bette had a wonderful childhood growing up in Tremonton with her siblings: Darlene (Lamont) Lamb, Roxey (Paul) Haynie, Richard B. (Gayla) Davis, Hugh S. (Claudia) Davis, Robert Hudson (Cathy) Davis, and Joseph M. (Barbara) Davis. Bette was a cherished aunt to many nieces and nephews who have fond memories and experiences with their Aunt Bets.

Bette attended McKinley Elementary, Bear River Junior High School, and Bear River High School where she was a proud graduate of the class of 1962. She developed many life long friendships with her classmates and looked forward to yearly reunions with her close girl friends. After graduation, she attended Utah State University where she studied theater and speech and worked in the costume shop. She took time from her studies to fulfill a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her mission took her to the Eastern Atlantic States where she experienced much success teaching the people there. Most of her mission was spent in Pennsylvania specifically Pittsburgh. Her favorite mission companion was Margaret Ward with whom she has a lasting friendship to this day. She also developed a friendship with Ruth Webb while on her mission. Ruth became the personal secretary to President Howard W. Hunter and as a result of her friendship with Ruth; Bette became close friends with President Hunter. It was always fun to have him in her home playing the piano and eating dinner. She often said that her mission was very hard but so rewarding.

Upon returning from her mission, Bette continued her studies at Utah State University. She graduated with a degree in Education and also studied to be a Seminary teacher. After graduating from Utah State University as a proud Aggie, she began her teaching career in Chicago at Addison Trail High School teaching theater and speech for four years and also taught early morning Seminary. She came back to Utah and began her long career (34 years) for the Jordan School District teaching drama and speech at West Jordan Junior High and West Jordan Middle Schools and then helped open the new Copper Hills High School where she taught History and Student Government. She was the adviser to the Student Body Officers until her retirement in 2004.

Bette’s gift of teaching was her greatest gift and talent because she did it so skillfully in every facet of her life. She taught in schools, church, and in her every day life. If there was something to be learned, she was there to teach it. Even ordinary daily events became a teaching opportunity. She had so many life experiences that she shared. These experiences became analogies and examples in much of her teaching. She loved her students and they, in turn, loved and admired her.

Bette loved her family. Her greatest wish was to keep the family close. As a result, she was the party planner…campouts (always a theme), Easter parties, (hiding treats and the egg roll down the hill), Christmas parties, etc. The camp outs were epic with daily activities, Dutch oven contests, singing around the campfire, prizes (always a Levi quilt or two), skits, and much, much more. If there was a party, Bette would be there, would be the life of the party and would make everything fun and exciting. 

Bette carried a keychain that said, “I refuse to grow up” which emphasizes her joy in and love for life. She always had a game to play, a story to tell, or something to make you laugh. She is well known with her nieces and nephews for telling Tumble, Rumble, and Bumble stories, several of which were written and put into a book. Her mantra was “Live well, laugh often, love much” and she could often be heard saying “Bingo Bango”! If you knew Bette well, you knew that her favorite color is pink!

Bette made friends and established relationships easily. She would talk to random people wherever she went. If there was a visitor or new face at church or Relief Society, she would say, “I’d like you to meet my new best friend”. She had a way of making people feel welcomed and special.

Bette had many hobbies and talents. Her bread and buns were unforgettable and her oatmeal raisin cookies were her specialty. She was an excellent cook and baker and shared this talent with many whom she taught the skills. She was a quilt maker. It is estimated that she made over 200 Levi quilts as well as pieced quilts. She loved to read good books and was a published author (The Children’s Friend, September 1986). She loved playing games: Hand and Foot, Five Crowns, golf card games, Cover Your Assets, Farkel and so many others. For over two decades, she enjoyed Farkel night with close friends in the Farkel Group.

Bette loved to be in the outdoors. She loved camping and fishing. On a trip to Alaska with her sister and brother-in-law, she caught the largest halibut and was very proud of that. She also loved spending time at the cabin at Bear Lake. She was fearless on the four-wheeler!

Bette loved to travel! She was always game for a new place to visit. For over 25 years, she has traveled with a group of friends fondly known as the “Travel Group” to many places throughout the United States. She traveled with family members and other friends on cruises and road trips. One of her favorite trips was her visit to Ireland just a few years ago with her nieces and sister-in-law.

Bette loved sports especially softball and was a powerful pitcher. Not many could hit her pitches. She also played catch and not much got past her. She loved tennis and taught tennis classes in the summer for Salt Lake County Recreation.

Her sister, Roxey Haynie of South Jordan, her brother, Joseph Davis (Barbara) of Brigham City, sisters-in-law, Claudia Davis, Gayla Davis, Cathy Thompson and numerous nieces and nephews all survive Bette. Her caregiver and long time friend, Marilyn Richards, also survives her.

Preceded in death by siblings, Darlene Lamb, Richard B. Davis, Hugh S. Davis, Robert H. Davis, and her parents, Richard Blount and Lois Stokes Davis, and her nephews, Rodney Lamb, David Lamb, Jon Stokes and Jay Davis.

Funeral services will be held at the Utah Bingham Creek Stake Center (8539 S. 2200 W. West Jordan) on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. with a viewing Friday evening, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the church and Saturday morning from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.

Interment will be at the Tremonton Riverview Cemetery (175 E. 1200 S. Tremonton, UT)