Tributes

Gail Davis was born in Hamilton, OH in 1936 To Andrew and Ann Pater. She lived there until the age of eight. From there, she and her parents moved to Miami, FL where Andrew was a partner in the S&S Diner. Throughout her childhood, Gail was very involved in the raising of her sister, Mary Ann, which gave them a close bond. When Gail was in high school, she worked in the family business, as well as attending school and being on the yearbook staff. After graduating high school, Gail attended Florida State University. While never completing her degree, Gail accumulated quite a few memories from her time there. One story in particular recounting that Burt Reynolds attended FSU while she also was in classes. She specifically remembered him sitting at their lunch table and how arrogant he was. During college, Gail met the love of her life: Carl Davis. They were married in August of 1956 and made their first home in an apartment behind the Sweet Shop on the edge of campus, which she enjoyed taking her grandchildren to years later. In September of 1958, their first son was born - Carl Davis Jr. Soon after, they moved to their home on Milton Street before their second son, Kevin, was born on May 31st, 1963. Kevin would become one of the defining parts of Gail’s life as he was born legally blind. When Gail found out that he would have to go to St. Augustine for school, she began working with others to start a program for the blind in Leon County Schools. At that time, the school system said there were no blind kids in Leon County. Gail did not believe that, and started looking and researching, and discovered there were a number of them. She would go visit these families and build a community in her quest to have a program for these kids, as well as her son. Besides attending college at Florida State, Gail went on to work at the university for many years. She began by working with the Physics graduate department and then moved on to another of her defining roles as the Administrative Assistant to the Chairman of the Physics Department. In this role, she managed staff, handled millions of dollars of grant money for the faculty, and would be asked to make sure their Nobel Laureate Paul Dirac and his family had everything they needed to feel welcome at FSU. Gail went on to work with FSU’s Financial Aid Department and retired after her time in the Visitor Information Office. Besides her career and the vision program, Gail spent a lot of time with her family. Of the many things she loved, her garden was her sanctuary - especially for quality time with her family. Year after year, from a small backyard plot to a huge garden on Carl’s hunting club property, she tended and nursed flowers and vegetable plants from the smallest to the largest in the nursery. Another cherished location was the Davis Family Lake House, owned by Gail and Carl Sr. The Lake Talquin property was a modest place but secluded and packed with activities. Gail and her family would go fishing, have dinners, and play pool on an incredibly warped pool table, but it was all part of the fun. They had no phone there, and that's how they preferred it. Carl Jr. had a minibike that he used to ride on dirt roads and trails in the woods with other teenagers who lived down there. Gail would prepare simple but delicious meals like fried fish, corned beef, and tomato gravy that they would have over rice. This was a reflection of their humble yet fulfilled lifestyle. The last family activity was not a place as much as it was a time of year. Christmas was always important to the Davis’s. Gail and Carl Sr. would always see the boys had a tree meticulously decorated with many ornaments from all over. In the family's later years, Gail started going to the Christmas Sale at the LaMoine Art Exhibit. Even as the boys and Gail grew older, the joy of Christmas was ever-present building upon the memories of Christmases gone by. Each of Gail’s three grandchildren loved her so much - their cherished Grandma. Each of them had wonderful memories that will last a lifetime. For Megan, it was time spent in Gail’s garden where they reminisced on their travels together - such as their trip to the Callaway Gardens and their trip to Hawaii. For Sharon, it was all the trips to go horseback riding as a girl. She remembers how Gail would sit in her car while Sharon was riding and would wave when she passed by and patiently wait to hear of all the adventures Sharon had. Gail would also take advantage of the dirt roads in the country to teach Sharon how to drive - even taking escapades to the Hilltop Cafe in Lloyd. Her youngest grandchild, Allen, spent time with Gail that, though engaging in simple pleasures, were warm and loving. More importantly, as Gail declined, Allen would go to her when she called to try to comfort her. He had a special way of calming her down. Each of her daughter-in-law’s memories with Gail were special to them. Kevin’s wife, Laurie, remembers Gail teaching her to make her bean soup, a family favorite. Irina, Carl’s wife, remembers a wonderful evening talking with Gail before she got too sick. Gail has left a lasting impression on all her family and friends, as well as the community around her. So many people have reached out to offer their condolences. Gail is survived by her two sons, Carl and Kevin. She is also survived by three grandchildren: Megan Davis, Sharon Bousquet, and Allen Davis. She is also survived by one great-granddaughter, Elizabeth Eleanor Bousquet, known to her as Ellie. Gail Davis is now with her beloved Husband Carl Sr. and her Lord and Savior, at peace at last. A funeral service will be held at Bevis Funeral Home on Friday, June 7, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Big Bend Hospice or the Alzheimer's Project of Tallahassee. Breanna Green of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the family with their arrangements.

Tributes

Gail Pater Davis

May 27, 1936 - May 29, 2024