Dr. Ruth Ann Davis

KEYSER, W.Va. – Dr. Ruth Ann Davis, 73, resident of Moran Manor, Westernport, MD and formerly of 161 Centre Street, Keyser, died on Friday, September 18, 2009 at Potomac Valley Hospital, Keyser.

Born May 25, 1936 in Keyser, she was the only child of the late George and Ruth (Ward) Davis.

Dr. Davis was a graduate of Keyser High School Class of 1954 where she was a Golden Horseshoe winner, Valedictorian and honor student. She was also a graduate of Potomac State College with AA degree in Pre-medicine in 1956, West Virginia University with a MS degree in Pre-Medicine/Zoology in 1964 and PhD degree in 1969 from Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, with a major in Physiology. She was a Graduate Teaching Assistant at West Virginia University Department of Biology 1959-1962, Instructor at Clark College Department of Biology 1962-1964, Graduate Teaching Instructor at Wayne State University Department of Physiology 1964-1968, Medical Technologies and Laboratory Supervisor at Sinai Hospital 1968-1981 and Clinical Instructor at Ross Medical Education Center in 1983.

Ann returned to her childhood home in 1983 to care for her mother and dad. She began her employment with Potomac State College and received the Outstanding Professor Award in 1991. She was tenured in 1994, promoted to full professor in 1998, retired in December 2001 after eighteen years of service and granted Professor Emeritus status in 2002.

Dr. Davis served for many years as the advisor of the Life Sciences Club, was a member of numerous committees at Potomac State and had been a life-long member of the West Virginia Association for Women in Higher Education and the American Association of University Women. She was also a member of Irvin Stewart Society of WVU and Ernest & Katharine Church Society of Potomac State College. She served as a Faculty member of West Virginia University Chapter of Alpha Epsilon Delta.

In October 2008, Dr. Davis presented a historic donation to the West Virginia University Foundation on behalf of Potomac State College totaling nearly one million dollars and endowed to support nursing scholarships in memory of her mother, the late Ruth Ward Davis. It was the largest single contribution ever to be made to the institution.

Surviving are her goddaughter Sarah Elaine Holderby, Aunt Helen Ward of Keyser; first cousins, Richard L. Paye and wife Linda R., Robert S. Paye and wife Elizabeth R., both of Cumberland, MD, Donald D. Paye and wife Patsy M. of Anacartes, Washington, John William Parrish and wife Linda, Charles Edward Parrish and wife Joann, both of Keyser, Connie Bright and husband Richard of Glen Burnie, MD, Bonnie Evarhart of Centreville, MD, Jean Woodworth and husband Eugene of Burlington. She is also survived by a close friend and care giver, Mary Callis of Keyser, Conservator and Guardian, Dr. Sandra J. Elmore of Nitro and numerous cousins, friends and students.

Friends will be received at the Markwood Funeral Home, Keyser, on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Funeral services will follow at 1 p.m. with the Reverend James A. McCune officiating. A reception will be held immediately after the funeral services at Potomac State. Private inurnment will be held in Queen’s Point Cemetery, Keyser.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Ruth Ward Davis Nursing Scholarship, Potomac State College of the WVU Foundation, Keyser, WV 26726.

Sincere appreciation is extended to all of the employees of Moran Manor, Westernport, MD.

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