Shirley Jean “Ross” Davis, age 85, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on October 14, 2025. Shirley was born on September 3, 1940, in Caney, Kansas, to Dee Francis Ross and Martha Sarah (Vernon) Ross.
Shirley was the oldest of five children, growing up with four sisters: Deanna Looney, Beverly Hartwig, Betty Davis, and Flossie Melton.
She married Everett Neil (Mick) Davis on September 21, 1957. They made their home in Caney and had two children: Tammy Lynn Davis Caresio of South Coffeyville, Oklahoma, and Everett (Neil) Davis Jr. and his wife, Barbara Davis, of Neodesha, Kansas.
To her grandchildren, she was known as “Nonie.” Her grandchildren are Buckley Wright and his wife, Bridget; Adam Wright and his wife, Tara; Beau Caresio and Jordan; Christopher Caresio and Brianna; JanNeil Davis Clarkson and her husband, Darin; Christi Heatly and her husband, Rick; and Derek Davis and his wife, Kim. She had a total of 23 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren.
Shirley converted to Catholicism in 1983 after her best friend, Liz Carlisle, invited her to attend Mass. She fell in love with the church and has been a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church for over 40 years. Shirley had a passion for softball and even played on a traveling softball team with her daughter in the 70s; people thought they were sisters. Shirley was a fast-pitch pitcher with an arm like a pro. In recent years, she enjoyed watching Major League Baseball.
Shirley was a great seamstress, crafty, and very handy with tools, fixing things at home, including washers and dryers. She had a green thumb and loved gardening, growing elephant ears, rose bushes, wisteria, and many other plants. She won the garden award several times over the years. She loved to water ski, preparing fried chicken and potato salad to take to Havana Lake on the weekends with her family and the boat.
Shirley was a Registered Nurse, graduating from Labette Community College with perfect test scores. She worked for Coffeyville Regional Hospital for many years up to retirement. Earlier in her career, Shirley was an ophthalmologist assistant for Dr. Campbell in Coffeyville and then worked for Dr. Doyle Burch in Caney. They also owned Davis Liquor Store in Caney.
Shirley was preceded in death by her husband Everett “Mick” Davis , parents, Dee and Martha Ross; her sisters, Virginia Lee, Beverly Hartwig, and Betty Davis; and her granddaughter, JanNeil Davis Clarkson.
Cremation has taken place under the direction of David Barnes Funeral Home.
A Rosary Prayer Service will be at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 30th with Mass of Christian Burial following at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Caney, Kansas, with Father Robert Spencer officiating. Inurnment will follow in Sunnyside Cemetery in Caney.
The family suggests memorials in Shirley’s memory to Sacred Heart Catholic Church Altar Society; contributions may be left with or mailed in care of David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 North Cline Road, Coffeyville, KS 67337. To leave a message for the family please visit Shirley’s memorial page at www.dwbfh.com
