Ida Mae Davidson

Ida Mae Hill Davidson, 91, died Thursday, May 1, 2014, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Columbus, MS. She was born on August 14, 1922, to Lucius Franklin Hill and Jesse Mae Galloway in Manning, SC. Visitation is 9:30-11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 5, 2014, at Kosciusko First United Methodist Church in Kosciusko, MS. Services will be at 11:00 a.m. at the Church with burial in Parkway Cemetery. Dr. Don Patterson will officiate the services. She was preceded in death by her husband, Hubert J. Davidson, Sr.; her parents; brothers, Willard, Lucius, Marion, and Clyde Hill; sisters, Virginia Brogdon, and Eleanor Ellis. She is survived by her son, H.J. Davidson, Jr. (Jamie) of Columbus, MS; and daughter, Nancy D. LaForge (William N.) of Cleveland, MS; grandchildren, Michael Davidson (Nicole) of Collierville, TN, Benjamin Hill Davidson (Melinda) of Arlington, VA, Elizabeth Kate Davidson of New York, NY, Caroline D. LaForge of Herndon, VA, and Clayton Davidson LaForge of San Juan, Puerto Rico; great-grandchildren, Michael, Sam, Eloise, and Phoebe Davidson. Mrs. Davidson was a 1939 graduate of Manning High School where she was a member of the Beta Club, was selected Miss High Miss, and was the lead soloist in the Glee Club singing When Irish Eyes are Smiling. After graduation she took business courses locally and then managed Brown's Department Store during the war. She was trained as a military plane spotter. Mrs. Davidson met Hubert Davidson at a picnic at Shaw Field, and on September 15, 1946, they married in Manning, SC. Mrs. Davidson lived most of her married life in Kosciusko. She worked in the Chancery Clerk's Office and Patterson's Jewelry Store. She was a homemaker, community volunteer, and a devoted member of the First United Methodist Church. She was a member of the Walter V. Davis Sunday School Class, a circle member, and a Sunday school teacher. Throughout her children's lives, she supported their many activities serving as homeroom mother, president of the band boosters and an officer in the PTA. She served as President of the Fun and Flowers Garden Club and President of the Book Lover's Club for two terms, respectively. She enjoyed volunteering at the Kosciusko Natchez Trace Welcome Center. Affectionately known as Meme, Mrs. Davidson loved getting to know people and encouraged young people to follow their dreams. She was an avid reader, worked a daily crossword puzzle and was a member of several bridge clubs. She loved the Ole Miss Rebels and was a loyal supporter of the University of Mississippi. For many years she hosted a Monday afternoon "coffee club" at her home to rehash Saturday's ball game. Her beautiful spirit touched us all. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mrs. Davidson's name may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Kosciusko.