Myra “Sue” Smith Davis passed away on March 24, 2025 surrounded by her family following a lengthy illness. She leaves her beloved husband of 65 years, Thomas E. Davis, her son, Dr. Bradley E. Davis (Kelly), her son Gary S. Davis (Kim) and daughter Julie E. Richey (Craig). Grandma Sue, as she preferred to be called, also leaves nine beloved grandchildren who were the light of her life, Katherine Barnow (Scott), Ryan Davis (Maggie), James Richey, Andrew Davis, Allison Davis, Lauren Davis, Brooke Davis, Megan Davis, and Luke Davis. She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Von L. Smith (Dottie).
Sue was born in Sycamore Valley, Ohio to Roy and Pauline Smith. She grew up in the small town of Belpre, Ohio. After high school, she went to nursing school in Parkersburg, WV. After completing three years of her four year program, the administration determined that she was an extraordinary student and she graduated early. They then recommended her for a new program at the University of Michigan to train exceptional nurses in anesthesia. She was accepted into that program, and completed her master’s degree in Nurse Anesthesia in 1960. While there, she met her husband who was also a student at the University of Michigan. After graduating, the couple moved to New York City where Sue worked for several hospitals in Queens, New York. Later, the couple moved back to Ann Arbor so Tom could complete his PhD in Economics while Sue worked nights to take care of their young son during the day. The family moved to Overland Park, Kansas in 1965. Sue worked at Shawnee Mission Hospital doing anesthesia for the obstetrics department until her retirement in 1996, working nights while her children were young and moving to days in later years. She helped deliver thousands of babies over the years and remembered every single one of them with joy.
Sue and Tom loved to travel. They visited over 30 countries in Europe, East Asia, Middle East and the Mediterranean. Grandma Sue instilled her love of travel in her grandkids and took her whole family to Europe with her twice. Her favorite city was Paris, which she visited seven times. She experienced many exciting events including the 1989 Tiananmen Square Protest in Beijing, China. She was even given a private tour of the Kremlin in Moscow. Her favorite trip, however, was visiting Jerusalem, where she walked the 14 Stations of the Cross along Via Dolorosa and visiting the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem where Jesus was born.
Sue valued education and was a lifelong fan of the Michigan Wolverines, especially their football team. She took great pride in the accomplishments of her children, and grandchildren. Seeing all of her children in their doctoral hoods was one of her proudest moments.
In her spare time, she loved the Lake of the Ozarks, where she proudly purchased a lake home, herself. Sue took many friends and family to her “cottage” over the years. She drove her children and grandchildren around on her boat and taught them to ski and tube. Her lake house was enjoyed by many for over 50 years.
Grandma Sue worked tirelessly to help provide for her family whom she loved beyond measure. When she asked her then toddler grandchildren how much she loved them, Katie and Ryan decided the biggest number in the world was “50-11” and so that must be how much Grandma Sue loved them. From then on, she always said that she loved you “50-11.” Sue was loved 50-11 and will be missed immensely.
The family will receive friends on Monday, March 31, beginning at 10 am at Porter Funeral Home, Lenexa KS. Funeral services to follow at 11 am with private graveside services at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery, Lenexa, KS.