Nelda Rae Davis, age 87, peacefully returned home to her Heavenly Father on 6 September 2021. She passed while living in Lehi, UT, and had been battling dementia for several years. Born in Eureka, UT, on 30 August 1934, Nelda was the daughter of Moses Alden Childs and Sylvia Johanna Bartell.

Nelda was a born entertainer and always drew attention. In her Tintic High School yearbook, from 1949, she was listed as Freshman class president. One of many similar notes from her classmates said: "If you keep that big smile and wonderful personality, I'm sure you will have all the luck and happiness in the world." Her big, friendly smile and engaging personality continued throughout her life. A friend recently wrote that "her laugh was infectious. She always had a way to make everyone smile even in the midst of drama."

In the year following graduation, on Valentine's Day, she married her high school sweetheart, Gary Daniels, in Eureka. They soon had a son (Derek) together, but the marriage only lasted a few years.

Nelda was a talented soprano vocalist. She sang professionally in and around Utah, and married her second husband, Kent Christensen, who was also a performer. After the birth of their daughter (Camila) in Salt Lake City, they moved to southern California as Kent continued to pursue an entertainment career. Eventually, Nelda was married a third time, to D'Mitch Davis, who was also an entertainer. Together, the two of them had some success with an act they called Midnight Sunshine.

Her children were her pride and joy, and she showered them with her love and attention. As they grew, she was fully engaged in their lives and tried to instill in them good values and a sense of curiosity for life. Though she did not travel a lot, Nelda was an avid reader. She enjoyed learning about different people and cultures and had a gift for befriending people of diverse backgrounds and beliefs. She was also a good friend to her children's friends. One of Camila's friends remarked as follows:

"The house was always filled with Nelda's warm, dynamic presence. [Her] voice lilted with nuance, humor, and musical intonation. Nelda seemed naturally inclined towards her performance persona, in the nicest possible way. I could expect, at any moment, that Nelda would break into a song that perfectly punctuated whatever she had just been saying or feeling."

As a constant performer, she had a great eye for fashion and always had her own unique style. She loved finding bargains on well-made, well-designed clothing and built an extensive wardrobe. If she could not find the clothing she wanted, she was a skilled seamstress and would make her own.

Nelda was always a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She had a natural faith in God and believed in the power of prayer. She often served as a music leader, and regularly sang solos for various meetings. Her interest in and love of others made her an easy touch for charitable causes, and she often made small donations. She loved cats, had a soft spot for animals, and was always willing to come to the aid of anything or anyone she thought was suffering. Before the onset of serious health problems, her last dozen working years were spent as a professional caregiver for those with mental health issues.

For those of us left behind, her departure leaves an unfillable void. But we rejoice with her in her opportunity to be reunited with her daughter and others that were gone too soon. Nelda was predeceased by her parents, her sister DeLone (George) Hall, and her daughter Camila Rae Christensen (Mark) Peotter. Camila was her daughter by Nelda's second husband, the late Kent Christensen.

She is survived by her brother Byron (Sharan), WA and son Derek Daniels (Karen), Lehi, UT. From her son she has five grandchildren: Joshua Daniels (Amy); Katherine Daniels; Emily Van Bloem (Jefferson); Elisabeth Berrett (Carson); Rachel Bateman (Brock). And from her daughter she has three grandchildren: Clifton Peotter (Sylvia); Aubrey Hawkinson (Ben); Kinsey Peotter. Nelda's growing posterity now includes 15 great grandchildren. Nelda's relationships with her former husbands were friendly and both Gary Daniels and D'Mitch Davis survive her.

The family expresses their profound gratitude for the loving care given to Nelda by the staff of Abbington Memory Care and Bristol Hospice.

A viewing and memorial service will be held at Wing Mortuary on Saturday, 11 September at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Lehi City Cemetery.

The service will be live streamed on the Wing Mortuary Facebook page starting at about 11:15 AM.
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