Friends and family mourn the passing of Elizabeth Lowe Davis on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023 after a lengthy illness that ravaged her body but never diminished her spirit or love of a good visit and chat with friends or soon-to-be-friends. Born Nov. 20, 1941 to the late Glenn W. and Helen Mitchell Lowe in Sycamore, outside of Laurel, “Betsy” – as she was known to friends far and wide – attended Sycamore School and graduated from Laurel High School in 1959. She received her Associate of Arts from Del- Tech at the age of 54 – one of her proudest achievements.
She held many positions throughout her life, with long stints as a teacher’s aid at North Laurel Elementary School, a clerk at the Laurel Public Library, the front desk ring leader at Roger’s Sign Company in Milton, and the bookkeeper, chief sandwich maker and general problem solver and specialized transportation provider for the family business, Davis Fisheries, Ltd. She also worked for Del-Tech and the University of Delaware in her later years.
Although she was a devoted worker at all her jobs, the role many remember her for is that of the glue that held many political groups, and even more social groups together. Betsy was involved in politics at the grass roots level, volunteering for campaigns and serving in leadership positions for groups such as the Western Sussex Democrats Club and Sussex County Women’s Democrat Club. Her smiling face greeted many voters over the years as she worked as an inspector at the polls during election days. She also volunteered for the Laurel Alumni Association from its inception, managing membership and helping with the annual dinner for decades. She served on the board of the Friends of the Laurel Library. For 50 plus years, she was a member of the congregation at St. Philips Episcopal Church in Laurel. She planned the monthly reunion lunches for her beloved Class of ’59 group for many years.
In addition to her community interests and involvement, her devotion to her family was unparalleled. Her four children, six grandchildren and many relatives knew Betsy’s love through hugs, thoughtful
put an Italian grandmother to shame. Corn pone, baked pineapple, chicken and dumplings, and homemade pizza – just a few of many favorites – were prepared with love and served with pride. She could cook anything brought to her from the woods, marshes or waters of Delaware, and often found herself having to do just that. Her family life included organizing and presiding over dozens of yearly Davis Family Pig Roasts, planning reunions for the Mitchell and Lowe families, and helping research and prepare family tree information.
Betsy is survived by her children Henry C. Davis (Carole), Trina Gumbs (Oliver) and Alan G. Davis (Sharon); her grandchildren Victoria Elizabeth Davis, Catherine Eleanor Davis, Silas Edward Wheedleton, Luke Elijah Wheedleton, Finn William Davis, and Sadie Gael Davis. She is also survived by her sister, Corretta J. Lowe, three nieces, three nephews, a former sister-in-law, and many others, including a special cousin, Pat Parsons and sister-in-law, Leslie Davis.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Glenn Roscoe Davis; her sister, Maryellen Lowe; and her brothers, Reese D. Lowe and Jon B. Lowe. She saw a nephew, Jon Glenn Lowe; her former husband of 32 years, Edward G. Davis; her brother-in law, H. Clay Davis III; her sister-in-law, Arvalene Moore and many beloved friends pass away before her own death.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Laurel Alumni Association, P.O. Box 382, Laurel, DE 19956 or St. Philips’s Episcopal Church ECW, 600 Central Ave., Laurel, DE 19956. The family will hold a celebration of life for Betsy on Nov. 13 at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Laurel. Friends may call at 10 a.m. and a memorial will be held beginning at 11 a.m. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.hsdfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in the care of the Hannigan, Short, Disharoon Funeral Home in Laurel.