Lillian C. Davis

Lillian C. “Lou” Davis, passed peacefully Saturday, March 8, 2025, ending a long struggle with Alzheimer’s. She was born June 24,1935 to Ernest and Rose (Laloge) Carpenter in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas.

Lou spent most of her young life in Cottonwood Falls where she attended school and enjoyed the slower pace of small-town life. The youngest of eleven children, she enjoyed meeting her dad as he came home from work each day. He always saved a small treat from his lunch to share with her along the way. In her teen years, she moved to Gardner where she attended high school and helped care for her niece.

While living in Gardner, she met the man she would marry and spend the next 71 years of her life with, Lawrence J. “Larry” Davis, Sr., who preceded her in death. The years were lean as they began life together, but they shared a talent for finding treasures that just needed a little fixing up, or would craft it themselves making doll beds, toys, and other items for their family. They built a life for their children rich with love and memories. Lou always made Christmas and other family holidays a truly special occasion. She loved collecting dishes to set a beautiful table and became quite well-known as an amazing cook.

After her family was raised, Lou pursued many passions, including painting and quilting. She had quite an eye for color and design and created many beautiful pieces of art for all of us. She enjoyed traveling with Larry and enjoyed sharing her memories of trips to Europe, South America, and Nova Scotia (her favorite). Lou was active in her church where she created banners for each season, and helped coordinate funeral dinners. Lou was a member of the Women’s Auxillary for the VFW and an active member of the Monticello Historical Society.

Lou is survived by her children, Retta Kramer (John) of Milford, Kansas, and Lawrence J. “Jim” Davis, Jr. (Donna) of Olathe, Kansas. She is also survived by eight of her grandchildren: Heather (Thomas) Medlin of California, Missouri; Margaret (Mark) Allenbrand, of Gardner, Kansas); Sarah Schmidt of Manhattan, Kansas; Andrew (Michelle) Gray of Eagle River, Alaska; Amanda (Ryan) Ressler of Leawood, Kansas; Courtney (Matt) Durbin of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Brenten “BJ” (Juanita) Davis of Olathe, Kansas; and Matthew Davis of Olathe, Kansas. She also has 21 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Surviving siblings include Hazel Everett of Strong City, Kansas and Richard Carpenter of Salina, Kansas.

She was preceded in death by her husband Lawrence J. Davis, Sr., daughter Deborah L. Gray, son Timothy Davis; two grandchildren Stacy Gray and Christopher Kramer; her parents Ernest and Rose Carpenter; her sisters Ruth Watchous, Alice Redick, and M. Marie Adamson; brothers Henry Carpenter, Kenneth Carpenter, Arnold Carpenter, Melvin “Bill” Carpenter, and Neal Carpenter.

In memory of Lillian, memorial contributions may be to Children's Mercy.