Betty Lou Troxell Davis

A true coalminer’s daughter was born, September 18, 1937, in Harlan County, Kentucky. Betty Lou Troxell started life in the simplicity of a coal miner’s camp. She was raised with her 3 brothers and 2 sisters in the “hollers” of Kentucky. During the days of poodle skirts and saddle shoes, she met and married William H. Davis to become Betty Lou Davis; later had 4 children: Debra, Leaketa, Edward, and William “Denny”. Relocating to Toledo, Ohio, for better job prospects to support a growing family, she proved to be a diligent worker, helping husband Bill support their family with various housecleaning and cooking jobs. Though life handed Betty many challenges including limited education, impoverished humble beginnings and the most devastating heartache in the death of her son, Eddie, she persevered to care for her family. Soon, she would welcome her grandchildren. She would spend her time entertaining them with her stories of true country living in a log cabin and keeping perishable food in the cold mountain streams instead of fancy refrigerators. Betty would also dreamily re-live how her mother’s southern cooking in bacon grease was heavenly after playing barefoot in the Kentucky Hills. She would often say growing up she never realized they were poor because of all the love in her family.

Betty was dedicated to “tendin’ to” the family and would be “tickled pink” with their visits and the sharing of holidays. She was an avid gardener with a green thumb, always reminding us to appreciate the beauty of a home-grown garden vegetable or the simple joys of a summer breeze. Throughout her life Betty would keep her Appalachian accent and friendly, good-natured demeanor, sharing whatever she could with others from a plate of dinner, an ice cream sandwich from her special stash in the freezer reserved for the grandkids or a friendly, encouraging word. In Betty’s company, you would often find her giggling with prominent rosy cheeks and her signature smile. Her greatest strength was her faith in her Savior, Jesus Christ. Above all, Betty would want us to offer God’s love to all of you reading this obituary. Romans 8:38-39 “38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

At the age of 86 years old, Betty went to live with Jesus on July 7, 2024, surrounded by family after a short illness.

Betty was preceded in death by her son, Eddie Davis, husband, William Davis, parents, brothers, and son-in-law.

She is survived by her children: Debra Jenkins, Leaketa (James) Perry, and William “Denny” (Annie) Davis, grandchildren: Ronda (Clint) White, Kelly Eischen, Eric Jenkins, Rebecca Perry, Shane Davis, Rachel (David) Jennings, and 8 great grandchildren.

Friends and family are invited to visit at Walker Funeral Home, 5155 W. Sylvania Ave, Toledo, OH, on Thursday, July 11, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., where a funeral service will take place at 1 p.m. Interment will follow at Ottawa Hills Memorial Park.