Steamboat Pilot & Today

Leona Marie Davisson

1933-2002

Leona Marie Davisson, 69, died Aug. 29, 2002, at her residence in Akron.

Leona was born May 12, 1933, in Brush, the fourth of 12 children born to William Henry and Della Eleanor (Green) Powell. She was raised in and around Oak Creek, where she attended school and graduated from Oak Creek Union High School in 1951. She was the first in her family to graduate from high school.

Leona lived in Johnstown from 1958 to 1980 before moving to Akron in 1981.

Leona married William Cullen and to this union Susan was born. She later married Norman Davisson and to this union Scott, Norma, Debbie and Kelly were born. Her current husband is Willard Davisson, with whom she raised three of her grandchildren.

Leona spent a number of years doing farm and ranch work. She also worked in various restaurants, in schools, in a turkey slaughterhouse, and as a bartender. Her last job was as a cook in an Akron restaurant. She was retired at the time of her death.

Prior to failing health, Leona enjoyed the Denver Broncos, the Colorado Rockies and playing cards.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Lillian Irene Powell and Ruth Eleanor Bowen, and one grandson, Norman Ward Biddle.

Leona is survived by her husband, Willard; the three grandchildren she was raising, Michael, Crystal and Candice, all of Akron; one son, Scott Davisson of Billings, Mont.; four daughters, Susan and husband August Shaner of Merino, Norma Jean Fritchell of Greeley, Debbie and husband Rick Heinz of Atwater, Calif., and Kelly Davisson of Waco, Texas; eight brothers, William G. Powell and wife Jean of Riddle, Ore.; Robert R. Powell and wife Evelyn of Hayden, Edward Powell and wife Rose of Glenoma, Wash., A. Elwin Powell of Akron, Kenneth Powell and wife Coleen of Prineville, Ore., Oscar Beck and wife Dovey, Joseph Beck and wife Fran, both of Hotchkiss, and Charles Beck of Oak Creek; one sister, Patricia and husband Robert Mack of Hayden and Salome, Ariz. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren in addition to the three she was raising, two great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Memorials may be made to one of the donor's choice.

Funeral services were conducted at 10 a.m. Sept. 2, 2002, at the First Baptist Church in Akron with Pastor James Miller officiating. Amy Shook, organist, accompanied Donne Spicknall as he sang "Gathering Flowers for the Master's Bouquet" and "On the Wings of a Dove." Escorts were Allan Davisson, Robby Davisson, Dan Atwood, Robert McMillon and Ralph Rogers. Honorary escorts included her sister, Patricia Ann Mack.

Interment followed in the Akron Cemetery with Brenner Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.