Jean Marie Davidson
KS_Newton -- Jean Marie Davidson, 85, was called home to
be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at Hospice House in
Hutchinson, Kansas. Jean was born on November 9, 1927, in Tulsa, Oklahoma to
John Henry “Jack” and Mildred (Mitchell) Wogan. She was married to John D
Davidson on August 15, 1948 in Wichita, Kansas. They celebrated 62 years of marriage
before John D passed away in November 2010. Jean majored in sociology while
studying at Wichita University (WSU). After her college graduation, she built a
career in social work, serving as a social worker at Methodist Youthville for
four years and for the State of Kansas for 37 years in Child Protective
Services for Newton and Harvey County . Always active in both church and
community affairs, she was the first female president of the Kansas-Oklahoma
Conference of the United Church of Christ in 1974, has been a social-work
advisor to Headstart, an organizer of the Harvey County Child Care Association,
chairman of the Child Protective Team and chairman of the Kansas Social Workers
Organization. In addition, she served as board president of the local Meals on
Wheels organization, president of the advisory board of the Harvey County
Families/Community and Schools board, president of the First UCC church board,
and Vice President of the Newton Senior Center. After retiring, Jean was busy
teaching Sunday school, singing in the church choir, delivering meals with John
D and active with the Newton Senior Center and Active Aging Council. She
enjoyed shopping, baking and traveling. She and John D traveled to almost every
state and visited Europe several times. She delighted in children. She loved
her grandchildren and attempted to go to as many of their activities and
sporting events that she could. Jean was a long term active member of the First
United Church of Christ in Newton. She moved to South Hutchinson last year to
be near family and began attending Journey (South Hutchinson) Mennonite Church
when her health would allow. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband
and a sister, Patricia Eagle. She is survived by her son, Michael Davidson and
his wife Ann of Hutchinson; and her daughter, Terri Poe and her husband Renzie
Poe III of Wamego. She has five grandchildren: Michelle (Matt) Walker, Spring,
Tx; Renzie Poe IV, Andrews Air Force Base, Md; Cameron Poe, Wamego; Amy (BJ)
Campbell Erickson, Denver, Co; and Aaron (Jennifer) Campbell, Houston, Tx. She
has six great-grandchildren: Samantha, Abigail, Ethan and Bryce Walker; Caitlin
Campbell, and Campbell Erickson. She also had a large extended loving family. A
celebration of life will be at 2 pm on Saturday, February 16, at the United
Church of Christ in Newton. The family will have a private committal service at
Greenwood Cemetery prior to the service. Memorial suggestions are for the First
United Church of Christ or Wheaton House in care of Petersen Funeral Home.
