Fayetta Davis

Fayetta Hall Storm Davis, 96, of Mattawan, MI died October 3, 2018. She was born at home on January 9, 1922, in Yellow Creek, Ohio, to Ernest J. and Marvel C. Hall. Assisting at the birth was a neighbor/midwife, Fayetta, for whom she was named. The last surviving member of her immediate family, Fay was preceded in death by her parents and sisters Dorothy Gaylor, Virgel Moss, Carolyn Messimer, and Evelyn Brown. The youngest of the five girls in her family, Fay had a colorful and adventurous life growing up in northeastern Ohio. In 1940 she enrolled as a freshman at Butler University in Indianapolis, IN. There she met Ronald Storm, a young divinity student studying for the ministry. They were married on August 8, 1945, in Indianapolis and enjoyed nearly 26 years of life and ministry together, serving churches in Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio. Both Ron and Fay completed their degrees at Kentucky Christian College in 1947. Ronald preceded her in death in 1971. On November 22, 1984, Fay married Ora Davis in Franklin, IN. He was also a minister and educator. He and his first wife, Virginia, were college classmates of Ron and Fay at Kentucky Christian College. Together, Fay and Ora enjoyed nearly 19 years of marriage and ministry, serving churches and colleges in Kentucky and Kansas. Ora preceded her in death in 2003. Fay began her first job working in a library at the age of 16 through the Works Progress Administration (WPA). She went on to work in corporate, public and higher education libraries throughout her career. She earned a Master's Degree in Library Science from the University of South Florida in 1977. Even in retirement, Fay continued to do volunteer work in higher education libraries until the age of 88. In 1975 Fay became the founding librarian at Central Florida Bible College (now Johnson University-Florida). In late August 2018, the archive room in the Johnson University-Florida Library was named the Fayetta Storm Davis Archive Room, honoring Fay for her contribution to the beginning of CFBC and the creation of their Stone-Campbell Restoration Movement historical collection. Following her time at CFBC, she served as interim librarian at Kentucky Christian University and Manhattan (KS) Christian College. In 2006 Fay moved to Lincoln, Illinois, and her final work as a librarian was as a volunteer at the Lincoln Christian University Library, spending about four years cataloging the nationally recognized Dowling Collection of Stone-Campbell Hymnals. Fay was a gifted pianist who could play by ear in any style of music. She would play at the drop of a hat and last played for church services just a few weeks before her passing. Fay is survived by her family, Randal (Linda) Storm of Spring Arbor, MI, Pamela (PJ) (Jim) Artis of Matawan, MI, Richard (Margie) Davis of Franklin, IN, and Mark (Vicky) Davis of Franklin, IN. Also surviving are 12 grandchildren, David Storm, Emily (Chris) Elam, Jolie Storm-Artis (Erik Duzal), Abbie (Martin) Van Klompenberg, Jason (Bambi) Davis, Jennifer (Charlie) Porter, Mark (Miriam) Davis, Julie (Joey) Owen, Josh Davis, Jeff (Dawn) Hardcastle, Breck (Christina) Hardcastle, Kelly (Chris) Cofer; 18 great-grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces. Cremation rites have been accorded. Burial of ashes will take place at a future date at Memorial Cemetery, Ft. Myers, FL, next to her first husband, Ronald. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 20, at 2:00pm at First Christian Church, 119 N. Niles, Paw Paw, MI. Visitation will begin at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers, Fay requested that donations be made to Wings of God Transition Home, P.O. Box 3, Paw Paw, MI, 49079.