Barbara Jean Driggs Davis, of Provo, Utah, passed away peacefully in her home during the early morning hours of September 19, 2018, from conditions incident to age. Barbara was born October 24, 1928 in Phoenix, Arizona to Golden Kenneth and Maude Macdonald Driggs. She was the second of six children.
As her father was a successful executive with New York Life, the family often relocated during Barbara’s youth, alternately residing in Mesa, Arizona; Chicago (Evanston), Illinois; Boise, Idaho; and San Francisco, San Jose, and Stockton, California, where Barbara graduated from Stockton High School in 1946. Barbara attended Brigham Young University (BYU), where she sparkled as one of the original Cougarettes, and there met J. Warren Davis of Idaho Falls, Idaho, recently returned from war in the South Pacific. After Warren’s mission in the Eastern States for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the two were married for eternity in the Mesa Arizona Temple on August 19, 1949.
Barbara was an enthusiastic sports fan, and a particular devotee of the Chicago Cubs and BYU Cougars. She was often seen side by side with her husband, at Cougar Stadium or in the Marriott Center, cheering on the boys in blue! After graduating from BYU, Warren attended graduate school at the University of California (Berkeley) and the University of California San Francisco School of Dentistry.
While the first of Barbara and Warren’s seven children was born during their time in Provo, the subsequent six arrived in California, where the couple had settled and were raising their family; first in San Francisco, and then in San Jose, where Warren had established his practice. Throughout their time in The Golden State, Barbara thoroughly enjoyed hosting dinner parties, served in many callings in the church, and was president of the local chapter of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. She also loved to travel, especially recalling a trip to the Mediterranean and The Holy Land, and visits to church history sites in Missouri, Illinois, and elsewhere.
In 1995, Warren sold his practice, and Barbara and Warren retired to Provo. Of their sunset years together, Barbara would remark that she and Warren served missions as caregivers for their elderly mothers, and on campus at BYU, where Warren served on the high council of a BYU stake, and Barbara provided guidance for the various young Relief Society presidencies. A wife and mother of angelic goodness, Barbara’s life was marked by an unwavering testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, devotion to God and family, and an unmatched sociability and cheerful countenance.
Her days were spent, and her greatest joys found, in service, and it can truly be said that she wore herself out in service to others. Yes, she served willingly and diligently in such church callings as Primary President, Young Women’s President (three times), ward Relief Society President (twice) and Stake Relief Society President, but her happiest and most fulfilling moments were those at home, mixing with family, and showering her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren with love. Until the final days of her life, she was always up and active, not wearying in well doing.
She never offended in word, or was harsh in her interactions with others, and expected the same level of refinement from her own children. Barbara’s benevolence was noted, and felt, by all who knew her. Virtuous, lovely, of good report, and praiseworthy, she was greatly loved, and will be greatly missed.
Among immediate family and posterity, Barbara is preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Don W. and J. Robert Driggs, son-in-law Lane Waters, and granddaughter Jaclyn Davis. She is survived by her husband, Dr. Joseph Warren Davis of Provo; son Steven Robert Davis (Julie Johnson) of St. George, Utah; daughter Kathleen Moore (Tom) of Parker, Colorado; son Richard Warren Davis (Lisa Biggs) of Provo; son John Karlton Davis (Jill Beebe) of Layton, Utah; daughter Dianne Waters of Lindon, Utah; son David Kenneth Davis (Diana Bryner) of Saratoga Springs, Utah; daughter Amy Jean Lyon Martin (Adrian) of San Tan Valley, Arizona; 41 grandchildren; 81 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Carolyn Driggs of Provo; sister Dianne Montgomery (Bryce) of Grantsville, Utah; sister Gloria K. West Andersen of Provo; brother G. Kenneth Driggs (Kerry) of Mesa, and many nieces and nephews, not to mention so many loved ones, in-laws, and extended family on her husband’s side. An evening viewing will be held Sunday, October 7, 2018, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Olpin Family Mortuary, 494 South 300 East, Pleasant Grove, Utah.
Funeral service will be held Monday, October 8, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. in the Riverside Ward Chapel, 3511 North 180 East, Provo, Utah. Family and friends may attend a viewing from 9:30 – 10:45 a.m. prior to the services. Interment will be in the Pleasant Grove City Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www. olpinmortuary.com.
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