Enid Davis Avery

Enid Davis Avery, 102, passed away Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, at her home in Missoula.

She was born on Nov. 16, 1911, to Ester Mabel Miller Davis and Phillip Daniel "Bud" Davis II on their homestead east of Judith Gap. Her childhood nickname was "Happy".

She attended Dillon Elementary School, one-room schoolhouses near the homestead and Judith Gap High School. She went on to the Normal School in Dillon on scholarship for a year.

She taught in rural schools around the homestead and then took more schooling in Billings. She taught three years at Frenchtown Elementary and three years at Thompson Falls Elementary.

She filled in between school and jobs by attending the University of Montana in Missoula and working other jobs for the National Weather Service, the county welfare office, tutoring a handicapped child and at a local radio station.

She married Earl Weber Avery and they had three children, Cd Avery (Sharon) of Helena, Beverly Ann Drebes (Tom) of Pablo and Carolyn Sue Avery of Missoula. She welcomed Earl's children from his previous marriage, Alice Machesney (deceased), Win Campbell of Powell, Wyo., and Sam Fiske (Betty) of Plymouth, Minn.

They ran a radio-TV business out of their home for many years. When the children were older, she substitute taught for many years in Missoula elementary schools. Later, she was the secretary for the English Department at UM. Many students and staff knew her as a friend.

After she retired, she did volunteer work at the public library and the Radio Reading Service. She always had a garden and flowers. Her green thumb showed even in later years with her front lawn surrounded in flowers. She was great with words from crossword puzzles to Scrabble champ. As a pioneer in photography, she left 100 years of pictures. Enid was a lifelong weather watcher and lover of classical music. Visits by any of her succeeding generations (up to six) were treasured times.

Earl passed away in 1987. Later, she married a former high school classmate, Richard Lake, when they were in their 80s. Her parents, spouses, four brothers and a stepdaughter preceded her in death. Her posterity includes many family generations and her many friends. She was generous, neighborly and intellectually stimulating.

Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be celebrated in mid-June along with burial at Missoula Cemetery.

Read Enid Avery's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.