Biography: Rosemary Wilson Davis was born July 17, 1938, and passed away peacefully on April 12, 2025, she is reunited with Mike, her loving husband of 62 years after years of battling several cancers. She lived life with determination, laughter and a feisty spirit.  Rosemary was an out-of-the-box thinker and was exceptionally creative.  She taught her children and grandchildren with patience and kindness and would walk through fire to help the ones she loved.  Rosemary was an excellent cook and enjoyed entertaining.  She had a particular talent for sewing and was gifted in the art of French hand sewing, crafting intricate Christening gowns and other cherished keepsakes. She loved flowers, the beach, every dog she ever met, living on Mobile Bay, holidays and time with her children and precious grandchildren.

Rosemary was born in Dumas, Arkansas but spent most of her childhood in Pocahontas, where she was Miss Pocahontas, Miss Randolf County and Miss Betty Crocker. She attended University of Arkansas, then transferred to Northeast Texas Women’s College (now Texas Women’s University). 

Rosemary moved to Little Rock and while working at University of Arkansas Medical Sciences (UAMS), was introduced to Milas “Mike” Eldon Davis, Jr. After a brief courtship the two wed on September 3, 1960, and remained married and best friends until Mike’s passing on August 17, 2022.  While Mike finished his radiology residency, Rosemary worked at Braniff Airlines.  After Mike joined the Air Force, they moved to Bitburg, Germany. During this period, they enjoyed travelling and exploring Europe.

Rosemary and Mike returned to the states, moving to Mobile, AL where they started their family. They built a home in Montrose on the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay and loved raising their children in this beautiful environment. Rosemary was a hands-on mother and spent time helping at their schools and driving classmates on field trips. Their home was a gathering place and always open for kids to play and swim.

In 1989, Rosemary and Mike moved to Mt. Pleasant, TX where Mike continued his radiology practice, before spending their finals years in Little Rock.  Wherever Rosemary lived, she was quick to make friends and get involved in the community. Rosemary was a member of the Junior League of Mobile, Junior Auxiliary of Eastern Shore, Maids of Mirth, Twentieth Century Club of Mt. Pleasant, Bible Study Fellowship and the United Methodist Church Women’s Group.  Through the Junior Auxiliary of Eastern Shore, she made puppets that were used to teach children about abuse. In Mt. Pleasant, she enjoyed teaching pre-teen girls how to use sewing machines at Tennison United Methodist Church.

Rosemary is pre-deceased by her husband Mike; her parents, Joseph Thomas and Mary Murphy Wilson; her brother Dr. Joseph Thomas “Joe T” Wilson, Jr; her beloved grandson Wilson “Wil” Foltz and nieces Kim Walker Bellingrath and Valerie Wilson Gramling. She is survived by her sister-in-law Gail Wilson; her brother and sister-in-law Dr. Mike and Mary Lou Wilson; children Tiffani Davis Foltz, Milas Eldon “Trey” Davis III and Melanie Davis Cook and her husband Cal; her beloved grandchildren Davis Foltz, Emma Cook and Murphy Cook; two nephews and eight nieces and her special dog, Eli (dubbed the favorite child).
A celebration of life will be held at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church on Sunday, April 13^th at 2pm with a reception immediately afterwards at her home.

Memorials can be made to Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church 4823 Woodlawn Ave., Little Rock, AR 72205 phumc.com or Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute  c/o UAMS Foundation Fund 4301 Markham St. Slot #716, Little Rock AR 72205.

The family is grateful for Rosemary’s exceptional physicians and nurses at UAMS including Dr. Arnaoutakis, Dr. Maraboyina and Donna Westerman; as well as her dedicated, compassionate caregivers Rosie Amador, Tovya Prince and Rhonda Sanders.  Also, a special thanks is extended to Jay Clark (Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church) Mark Leon (Baptist Rehab) Tongal Humphries (Parkway Village), Yvonne Sims and Mendy Barnes (Gentivia Hospice) and the entire staff at Parkway Village for enhancing the quality of life for so many. Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com