Lillian Ellisene Davis

Lillian Ellisene Davis, 78, of La Vernia, passed away among her family on Tuesday, June 16, 2020. Born on December 31, 1941 in Jacksboro, TX, she was the daughter of the late Warren and Olive Rumage. Ellisene, is survived by her daughter, Danna Jo Ritter and son-in-law Larry Ray Ritter, grandson, Daniel Ray Ritter and granddaughter, Misti Katherine Webster and her husband Nathan Webster. She is also survived by her brother, Ed and his wife Karen Rumage, their sons and families, Will and Brittni Rumage and sons Cash and Stone Rumage, Blain and Shalie Rumage and their daughter Reese Rumage. Ellisene was preceded in death by her husband Dan Davis, after 40 years of marriage. Ellisene and Dan were high school sweethearts. They married in 1960 and attended college together. Ellisene earned her BS degree in Home Economics from Texas Technological College. She later supported Dan in his Naval Service in Newport, Rhode Island and Pensacola, Florida, where their daughter Danna Jo was born. After Dan’s discharge from the Navy they taught school together in Keller, Texas. Ellisene taught earth science, chemistry, health and home economics. Ellisene sponsored the Future Homemakers of America, annual staff, and the Junior Class. She later received a Master of Education from North Texas State University. She also completed work at Texas Women’s University to become qualified to teach the special education students on homebound. She completed work towards her doctoral degree in creative writing from Central State University in Edmond, Oklahoma. She was an artistic soul, creating was her passion. Ellisene loved to design unique pieces of jewelry, paint, write short stories (both fictional and personal) and play the piano. Ellisene proudly collaborated to write and co-produce a local production of Texanna in Keller, Texas and Fort Richardson in Jacksboro, Texas. Some of her many short stories and articles were published by Texas Christian University Press and the Texas Folklore Society / Southern Methodist University Press. After Ellisene’s extended illness, both she and Dan moved to Angel Fire, New Mexico in 1997. They both took an active part in the construction and development of the United Church of Angel Fire. Despite the death of her husband in 2000 and her continuing health issues, she stayed active by volunteering at church and with Music from Angel Fire. In 2007 Ellisene moved to San Antonio, Texas followed by New Braunfels, Texas and finally to La Vernia, Texas, in order to be close to family. Ellisene enjoyed supporting and teaching her family and the many exceptional care givers that helped her along the way. Her strength of character through crisis, illness, and adversity was her legacy to those around her. A memorial service is pending and will be held at a later date at the Lux Funeral Home Chapel in New Braunfels, Texas. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ellisene’s name to Concerned Citizens of Jack County which is a non profit organization that serves the needs of the elderly and disabled in Jack County @ 400 East Pine Jacksboro, Texas 76458.