Edna Louise (Barnes) Davis

Edna Louise Barnes Davis, 90, passed away peacefully on April 12, 2024 at her daughter’s home in Toledo, Ohio.  Edna was born May 30, 1933, and raised on a dairy farm in Huntsburg, Ohio. She was the third of four children, to Archie and Caroline (Pelton) Barnes. She married Robert Charles Davis on September 27, 1953, and together they raised one daughter.

Edna is remembered for many talents and accomplishments, including her poetry, journalism, civic service, public affairs, and family history heritage and research. When home remodeling was in order, her farm learned carpentry skills helped her build many cabinets, closets, and bookcases.  She started a small business, built her own darkroom, and learned how to develop the pictures she took. She enjoyed sharing many of these pictures of various scenes in Geauga County. She loved to sing in church choirs, and especially enjoyed singing in a benefit concert presenting Handel’s Messiah.

Edna loved her family and friends so much. Using excellent cooking, baking, and old-fashioned traditions, she created happy memories for holidays, birthday celebrations, and numerous other family and friends’ get-togethers. Growing up on a farm taught her the value of gardening and eating home grown food. She and her sister were dedicated seasonal canners for fruits, jellies, jams, and vegetables. She endeavored to continue to grow a few of her own vegetables well into her later years.  Her Christmas Cactuses and African Violets were rather legendary. Edna had quite the green thumb.

Never a sit and do nothing for long kind of gal, Edna made special friends and admirers even during her time living in long term care. She stayed busy playing Bingo, quite a variety of games and crafts, and use notebooks to take various meeting minutes. She enjoyed drives around the countryside admiring the farms and seasonal crops, and watching the trains go by.  Edna would often be seen offering another resident kind words or a hand to hold when she felt it was needed.  A number of staff felt honored to have known her. When illness and decline helped initiate the final leg of her life journey, she still wanted to be a part of things even if just watching the world go by. During those final days, Hospice of Northwest Ohio was a bright shining light bringing so much support, compassion, and comfort.

Edna held a lifelong belief in her Savior, Jesus Christ, and was still trying to share his love and “the word” until a few weeks before her passing. She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints most of her adult life, having also served on a mission with her husband, Bob, until his passing in 1993.  She still attended services in Wauseon, Ohio until recently. Before her move to Northwest Ohio, she attended the Chardon Branch of the church for many, many years.

Edna will be sorely missed by so many surviving family and friends. Daughter, Patti, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, other extended family: Heather (Derek), Trevor, Alex, Jeff (Nicole). Timothy (Amanda), Kyla, Jude, Tracy; Amber, Demetri; Robby (Paige), Henry, Raelynn; nephews and niece, John, Carol, Dave, Rick. Family and friends near and far remained close through zoom, phone calls, visits, cards and letters. Those meant the world to Edna. We can share joy for her that she is finally reunited with Bob, her parents, sister, Betty, brothers Ken and Harold, and numerous other family and friends.

A viewing will be held at 11:00 AM, followed by a service at 12:30 PM on Saturday, April 27, at Sly Family Funeral Home, 15670 W. High Street, Middlefield Ohio. Local clergy will officiate. A private burial service will take place immediately after at Middlefield Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, family and friends are invited to consider a donation towards making Memorial Day more meaningful this year, something that was always important to Edna.

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