Betty Ilene Davis

Betty Ilene Wood Davis, 80, of New Castle went to be with the Lord on December 5, 2011 after a brief illness. Betty was born on February 7, 1931 to the late Ray Aaron Wood and Opal Moore Wood, near Warren, Indiana.

She graduated from New Castle High School in 1949 and attended New Castle Business School and Ivy Tech. After High School, Betty was employed by the George W. Stout Advertising Agency located in the Jennings Building. Later, she worked at Modernfold Industries in the Sales Department. She, along with her family, owned Davis North-End Market and two other grocery stores in New Castle and Mt. Summit. She also owned Davis Real Estate Company and worked for several Real Estate Agencies. She was named Realtor of the Year.

Betty attended the Broad Street Church of the Nazarene since 1940 and was active in youth ministries, missions, church office manager, and financing. She was on the Building Committee to build the present Westview Church of the Nazarene. Since 1982 she has been a member of the First Church of the Nazarene.

She married Paul R. Davis on December 28, 1951 (deceased 2008). Together they had two daughters, Karen Gail Davis Johnson (husband, Art) of Indianapolis and Julie Ann Davis Owens (husband, Stu) of New Castle. Also surviving are four grandchildren, Stephanie Johnson Dunn (husband, David) of Nashville, TN, Staci Johnson of St. Louis, MO, Sara Adkins (husband, Kevin) of Middletown and Paul Ward of New Castle. There are nine great grandchildren: Kyla, George and Connor Dunn, Emilie Ward, Taylee, Bo and Luke Adkins, Caedmon and Cohen Ward; brother-in-law, Rev. Leon Davis (wife, Doris) of New Castle, sisters-in-law, Gerry Jones and Joan Booher both of New Castle, many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers, William (Bill) Wood, and Robert (Bob) Wood, father and mother-in-law, Ernest and Flossie Davis, brother-in-law, Ernest Davis, Jr. and sister-in-law, Mary Davis.

A celebration of her life will be at 11:00 AM Friday, December 9, 2011 at First Church of the Nazarene in New Castle with Reverends Phil Edwards, Leon Davis and Gene Bennett officiating. Burial will follow in South Mound Cemetery West Lawn Addition. Friends may call from 4-8 PM Thursday, December 8, 2011 at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in New Castle and one hour prior to the service at the church. Online condolences may be expressed at www.hinsey-brown.com .