By Dennis Nartker [email protected] KENDALLVILLE — To her family, she was the best mom, the best grandma and the best friend. To her friends, acquaintances and those whose lives were enriched by her community endeavors, she was a great lady. Barbara Ann Davis, 87, of Kendallville passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2015. She was born on Jan. 12, 1928, to the late John and Helen (Bragg) DeBelius. The lifelong Kendallville resident graduated from Kendallville High School in 1946 and attended Indiana University for two years. On June 10, 1949, she married Harold "Gabby" Davis in Kendallville. He preceded her in death on Oct. 27, 2013. They had four children. "How did my mom ever work 40 hours a week, put supper on the table every night, have a spotless, neat-as-a-pin house, got to all our school and sporting events, and spend actual family time with us?" asked her daughter, Judy Guthrie, while recalling her mother's life. "Plus she was involved in her church and other community clubs, which involved fun and helping others." Mrs. Davis was employed with Duane Axel Insurance in Kendallville for 31 years before retiring in 1998. She was an active lifetime member of the First Presbyterian Church in Kendallville. Over the years, she served in various capacities within the church, including deacon, elder, clerk of session, president of the Presbyterian Women's Association and Sunday school teacher. She also belonged to the Mary Martha Circle, helped with countless church bazaars and rummage sales, and many other church activities. At her funeral service, the Rev. Jordy Truman of the First Presbyterian Church spoke about her church stewardship and faith in God, and former First Presbyterian Church minister Stan Kessler wrote she led by example and encouragement: "She was quite a role model." Mrs. Davis was actively involved in Tri Kappa since high school, the American Field Service Kendallville chapter, and volunteered many hours with the American Red Cross Bloodmobile, Teen-Parent Co-op, Meals on Wheels and the Sacred Heart Home. She was an avid bridge player and a member of several bridge clubs. After retiring, she worked part time for Anita Hess in her real estate business. "Barb was a real jewel," Hess said. "I considered her one of those silent warriors, doing what needed to be done, serving where needed, but not receiving recognition publicly. She loved this community and the people in it." Mrs. Davis' family was first and foremost in her life. "Mom was always eager to spend time with us, whether just hanging out at home or all the activities she would attend that four kids manage to do," Judy Guthrie said. Weekly shopping trips with her mother to Fort Wayne and Elkhart, and weekend shopping trips to Indianapolis and Chicago were memorable. Later, there were girls' trips to California, Arizona and Chicago with her daughter and three granddaughters. "We had some great times," Judy Guthrie said. "Mom wasn't afraid to tell her granddaughters what they needed to hear. She was so nice and polite, and made sure we learned proper behavior and manners." Granddaughter Bambi Guthrie said the best thing about her grandmother was how accepting she was of her grandchildren. "When I started coloring my hair wacky colors, she was so excited and always wondered what I'd do next. She attended my art shows, and no matter how many odd things were in my imagery, she supported me." Granddaughter Andrea Smith recalled her grandmother's laugh and how she got everyone else laughing. She remembered the grilled cheese sandwiches and chocolate milk her grandmother would make for the grandchildren and "poking our elbows with forks if we had them on the table, trying to teach us manners." Mrs. Davis had a great sense of humor, Judy Guthrie said. "One of our favorite things to do was get her in one of her hard laughs when she couldn't stop laughing. My brothers were great doing that." Mrs. Davis' son Jeff recalled how his mother enjoyed family gatherings. "She fit in with everyone," he said. A family gathering was the best time to get Mrs. Davis into a laughing fit, according to her son Jim Davis. "We would do anything to get her laughing so hard she took her glasses off." She is survived by three sons, a daughter, nine grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and a sister. "Mom showed us all how to live life to the fullest. She will always be in our hearts and live in our memories," Judy Guthrie said. Mrs. Davis was buried in Lake View Cemetery, Kendallville.