Margaret Neal Smith Davis

DURHAM: Margaret Neal Smith Davis, age 101, of Durham and formerly of Charlotte, North Carolina died on October 7 at the Forest at Duke. Born in Matthews, North Carolina oneeptember 15, 1912, Mrs. Davis was the daughter of the late Mary Jane Freeman Smith and Samuel Leroy Smith. She was preceded ineeath by her husband, J. Van Davis, co-founder of Charlotte Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, and her brother, William Leon Smith. After graduating from Matthews High School and Brown Business College in Charlotte, she worked for George Smith, Attorney-at-Law. Following her husband's death, Mrs. Davis served on the board of directors of Charlotte Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and as a secretary of the Board until she retired in 1977 As a lifelong Presbyterian, she was an active member of Caldwell Memorial Presbyterian Church, Amity Presbyterian Church and Covenant Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, and First Presbyterian Church in Durham, where she taught Sunday school and Circle Bible lessons. She faithfully voluneered in the church office and for Meals on Wheels. In Charlotte, Mrs. Davis was a member of the Mizpah Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star and the Belvedere Garden Club. Surviving are her daughter, Ella Jane Davis Rourk and husband, Malcolm Henderson, of Durham, her son, William Javan Davis and his wife, Elizabeth of Rougemont, NC; grandchildren, Caroline Davis Rourk and Malcolm Henderson Rourk, III, both of Durham, Peter Javan Rourk and his wife, Karen of Cedar Grove, NC, aneelizabeth Rourk Hayden and her husband, John of Louisville, KY; and a great grandson, Davis William Rourk. A funeral service will be held 2:00 PM Monday from First Presbyterian Church, with the Rev'd Marilyneedgpeth and the Rev'd Sam Miglarese officiating. Interment will be Tuesday in Sharoneemorial Park, Charlotte. Memorial gifts may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 305 E. Main St. Durham, NC 27701, Union Presbyterianeeminary, 3401 Brook Rd. Richmond, VA 23227 upsem.edu or to Meals on Wheels, 2522 Ross Rd. Durham, NC 27703. Arrangements are with Hall-Wynne Funeral Service. On-line memorials: hallwynne.com.