Betty Madaline (Lakin) Davis

Betty was born in Wayne, West Virginia to the late Edgar and Lutie Lakin. She was predeceased by her twin brother Bill Lakin, sisters Fern Robinson and Arlene Lakin, her son Rick Davis and daughter Mary Lu Richards. She leaves her remaining children and family - Jim (Wendy) Davis of Crawfordville, FL, Bob Davis of High Point, NC, Peggy Gangemi of Bradenton, FL and Nancy (Ken) Krizen of Sarasota, FL. Also, 23 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and 9 great-great grandchildren. She was an amazing wife, mom, grandmother, aunt, and friend. Nothing made her happier than being surrounded by her family. Betty cherished family traditions and always looked forward to the joy of large family gatherings. During high school Betty relocated with family to Gallipolis, Ohio. After graduating in 1948 from Rio Grande High School, she was set up on a blind date to meet the brother of her close friend. She married Floyd Davis shortly after that first date on November 24, 1949. Betty was an incredible seamstress and sewed Barbie clothes and teddy bear pillows for her children and grandchildren. She was an avid reader and loved word searches. Her creativity was endless. She was most at peace while gardening, especially when tending to her Christmas cactus and jade plants, which were her favorites. Betty worked many years at EMR, GTE Phone Company, Maas Brothers department store, Beneva Lakes Nursing Facility and Belk Lindsey department store. After fully retiring she spent time as a member of the local Red Hat Society and volunteered for the Doctors Hospital Auxiliary with Senior Friends. She was awarded the local chapter Senior Friends Volunteer of the year in 1996, the National Association of Senior Friends Volunteer of the year in 1996 along with The Frist Humanitarian Award. Betty received an Honorary Life Membership for the Auxiliary of Doctors Hospital of Sarasota in 2014, with over 17 years of service. She was strong in her faith and a longtime member of First Sarasota: The Downtown Baptist Church. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her. Visitation and services will be held on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at Toale Brothers Funeral Home, 40 N. Orange Ave, Sarasota, FL. Visitation at 10:00am with services and reception following at 11:00am. Internment Services will be at The Sarasota National Cemetery at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers the family request donations in memory of Betty M Davis, to First Sarasota Baptist Church, Attn: Homebound Ministry, 1670 Main Street, Sarasota, FL 34236, or the Pines of Sarasota Foundation Mission Fund at https://pinesfoundation.org/ or USPS checks made payable to Pines of Sarasota Foundation, 1501 N. Orange Ave., Attn: Pines Foundation, Sarasota, FL 34203.

Tributes

Betty Madaline (Lakin) Davis

April 1, 1930 - August 7, 2026