Davis, Betsy Naff
Betsy Naff Davis died on April 28, 2023, at Bon Secours Community Hospice House in Richmond, Va. The daughter of the late Wesley and Ethel Naff of Boones Mill, she was predeceased by her husband of 62 years, Dr. Russell Davis, Jr.; an infant daughter, Beverly Ann; her brother, Wesley W. Naff, Jr.; and two sisters, Rosemary Stevens and Rebecca Green.
Betsy graduated from Franklin County High School in 1955 and attended Bridgewater College for two years. She and Russ married in 1957 and enrolled at MCV where Betsy received her nursing degree and worked as an RN before moving with Russ to Roanoke, Va. They later settled in Radford, Va. There they made their home for over 50 years, raised four children, and established a local medical practice that Betsy managed for five years.
A long-time member of Radford’s Grace Episcopal Church, Betsy was involved in many activities, including documenting the church’s history. She and the Radford High School Tennis Patrons conducted a Community Campaign that raised money to build six tennis courts. She loved travel, especially camping with family.
She toiled tirelessly on the family’s Little River farms, where she helped build a log cabin, and was particularly proud of her wildflower gardens. Betsy enjoyed dabbling with watercolor paints, playing tennis, and entertaining friends and family. In later years, she enjoyed reading best sellers, gardening, jigsaw puzzling, and trading in the stock market in which she became quite the expert. Most of all, Betsy loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.
Betsy is survived by her children, Lewis Naff Davis (Fran), Steven C. Davis (Bonnie), Jennifer Davis Garrison-Dean (Maurice), and David Benjamin Davis (Greg); and her sisters, Virginia Cooper (Gary) and Dr. Gretchen Naff. Also surviving are many wonderful nieces, nephews, cousins, and five grandchildren, Olivia Grace Davis, Catherine Rose Garrison, Ryan Wetzel, Savanna Manning, and Laural Duncan.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Tuckahoe Pines, 12330 Patterson Avenue, Richmond, on Sunday, May 7, 2023, at 3 p.m. with The Reverend Nina Vest Salmon officiating. The family invites attendees to a reception following the service.