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Margery Johnson Davis
January 29,1928-April 22, 2024

Marge's favorite scripture is a summation of her life, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and He shall direct thy paths"  Proverbs 3:5-6.  She trusted the Lord, obeyed, and He directed her paths to the blessing of us all.  She passed away in her home at the age of 96.

Marge was born to Vernal Squire Johnson and Fauntella Coffin Johnson on January 29, 1928, in Pocatello, Idaho.  She had two younger sisters, Ilene and Patricia. They were best friends.  When Marge was in first grade her family moved to Rigby, Idaho where her parents opened a dress and beauty shop.  It was during the Great Depression and they lived in the back of the store. At night when the store closed, Marge and her sister would roller skate and tap dance in the store, and play in the alley, listen to their father sing on the guitar, and eat fried potatoes and homemade ketchup. They didn't have much, but Marge was ever grateful and felt home was heaven.
The family moved to Sheridan, Wyoming. The church was very small, with only one branch, and it was here in Sheridan that Marge learned to love and appreciate missionaries as they were always welcomed into her home. This is also where Marge decided that it was more fun to talk to people than to be shy.

In her parents' home, Marge learned the importance of rules and the power of prayer. Her mother taught her manners as she gave her children instructions, so they would know how to act. Marge was forever grateful.  She learned to wash her hands, wash clothes, make the bed, and brush her teeth with exactness.  These things stuck with her all her life. She understood that obedience is the key to happiness. Hence her motto "Pray and obey or I'll slug you."
While in 8th grade, Pearl Harbor was bombed.  Her father began doing defense work so they moved to Casper, Wyoming and then Pocatello. Marge started high school in Pocatello where she played the clarinet in the marching band. She can still sing the Pocatello fight song to the delight of her grandchildren.  In 1944, the family moved to Idaho Falls.  Marge loved high school. She loved dating, dancing to the Big Bands, going to the Big Cinema movies, watching news reels, making movie star scrapbooks, and having friends. Marge's favorite class in school was journalism which has paid off.  She has always read the newspaper, written many letters, histories, and newsletters which have blessed lives.

While working at Fogg's Drug Store in Idaho Falls, Marge was introduced to a handsome red-headed sailor named Jim Davis. Of all the boys she dated Jim was her and her parent's favorite.  Marge and Jim were married Thanksgiving Day, November 28th 1946, and six months later were sealed in the Idaho Fall Temple on May 22, 1947.

A turning point occurred in Marge's life while living in Seattle, Washington, where Jim pursued an electrical engineering degree.  Marge's neighbor, who was a Methodist, taught Sunday school in his church.  He did not have a manual, so she gave him one of hers.  He taught from it and was amazed.  She said, "It made me realize even more fully how wonderful it is to know the truth and be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-Saints."  How grateful she felt for the Restoration of the gospel and for living Apostles and Prophets, and for priesthood authority that made it possible for families to be bound together for an everlasting inheritance.  She felt a great desire to protect her children from evil and to preserve them in love and righteousness, and knowing that no effort or  sacrifice would be too great, she read the entire Book of Mormon all the way through for the first time and it changed her life.  She wanted to proclaim it's truthfulness from the housetops.

Jim and Marge were blessed with four children, James Vern, Larry Johnson, Ilene Connie, and Donald Walter. They have 28 grandchildren and 111 great grandchildren, and they consider each of them and their spouses as their precious angels.

Marge says that she got married to settle down and Jim got married to see the world—and he won. They lived in Washington, Arizona, Utah, Idaho, New Jersey, Alaska, England, and New York and visited nearly every state, and toured the sites of Europe more than twice, but her favorite site was the Statue of Liberty.

No matter where Marge and Jim lived or traveled they always attended church and freely shared the gospel. She passed out Article of Faith and pass-a-long cards and instructed all to find the church and missionaries.  Marge has taught many classes, including Gospel Doctrine. She has served as president of the Young Women, Primary and Relief Society organizations. Jim and Marge served a mission in the New York, New York South Mission, served as investigators at the MTC, and held firesides in their home for over 30 years.  You could always count on hot fudge and ice cream.

Marge has many talents, one of which was landscape painting. While in England, she was lonely, so she decided she needed a hobby. She enrolled in an art college. She learned to love painting and the people in the class. When she left England, the teacher started to cry and said, "Before you came we didn't even know each others names. Marge made cold old England a warmer place.
As time passed and they moved to Lehi, Jim's hobbies became Marge's hobbies. Whether it was ranching, traveling, operas, bowling, dancing, musicals, BYU football and basketball games, Chuck-A-Rama, Golden Corral, or walking along the beach greeting people, they helped each other. On the farm in Lehi, Utah, Marge put up with calves in her laundry room and new car.  She became good at irrigating, fencing, and she was the very best at running the squeeze shoot during branding. Jim has always given Marge the confidence she needed.  Even though they had their opposite ways, they were united in their love for each other through their temple covenants. Marge and Jim recently celebrated their 77th wedding anniversary. They knew what it meant to cling to one another; however, Marge always walked faster than Jim.  Jim would say he walked slower to give her more time to talk to people while he caught up.

In her older years, Marge always made sure she left food out for the birds.  She loved and waved to anyone that drove by. To the end she enjoyed the beautiful world.  As her eyesight declined, she couldn't read the scriptures, so every night after Jeopardy, her favorite TV show, Jim would tenderly read the scriptures, conference talks, and Liahona to her. Jim and Marge worked to create an eternal family.

Marge is survived by her husband James Merritt Davis, and their children, James and Irazema Davis of Las Vegas, Nevada; Larry and Cheryl Davis of Woodland Hills, Utah; Mark and Ilene Quilter of Lehi, Utah; and Don and Denise Davis of Boise, Idaho, plus 28 grandchildren and 110 great grandchildren.  She will also be missed by her two sisters and other family members and friends.  She is pre-ceded in death by a great granddaughter Brinley Parry.

Funeral Services will be held Friday, May 3, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. at the Lehi Meadow View Stake Center, 900 North 1200 East, Lehi, Utah.  There will be a viewing prior to the service from 10:00-11:30 at the same location.  Interment at the Lehi Cemetery. We express thanks to the Lehi 4th ward, neighbors, Dignity Hospice and all who have helped Jim and Marge and their family. In lieu of flowers "Pray and Obey, or she will slug you."