Lillian Opal Clough Davis

POLSON — Lillian Opal Clough Davis, 92, died Saturday, Dec. 22, 2007, at St. Luke Convalescent Center where she resided for the past 3-1/2 years. Lillian was born in Okmulgee, Okla., on Aug. 28, 1915, to Bertha and Fred Clough, the youngest of their three daughters. She graduated from high school in Okmulgee. Shortly after, while working in a local department store, she met the love of her life, George Tansil Davis. Following a short courtship, they were married at 9 a.m. on June 1, 1932, in Stillwater, Okla. Lillian and George lived a full and happy 55 years together.

In pursuit of George's professional career as an animal science and poultry genetics professor, they lived in Oklahoma, Kentucky, Wyoming, and in 1958 moved to Bozeman, where George headed the Poultry Department and taught genetics in the animal science department at Montana State University for nine years. During a one year sabbatical in 1963, the family moved to State College, Pa., where George was a professor at Penn State.

Lillian was the consummate wife and homemaker, and her cooking skills and gourmet recipes brought many folks eagerly to the table. Give her a chicken and she could make any number of delectable dishes with it. Every summer, they hosted a large chicken barbecue with their special sauce recipe.

In 1967, George was offered an opportunity to work with a team of professionals under the Colorado State University AID program. This adventure took Lillian and George to Nigeria, Africa, where they lived for a year, helping teach the Biafran locals how to raise better poultry. When civil war broke out in 1968, they were forced to flee the country, leaving most of their personal possessions behind. They settled in Vancouver, B.C., Canada, briefly before returning to Bozeman.

George retired in 1972, and he and Lillian moved to Laguna Hills, Calif., and settled in Leisure World there where they spent many hours on the golf course. A consistently good golfer, Lillian was most proud of her "hole in one," and liked to tell about the bottle of champagne they always kept cold in the refrigerator "just in case" that elusive hole in one occurred. They made many wonderful friends, and traveled all over the world in their retirement, leaving Antarctica the only continent they didn't set foot on.

George died in 1995, and in April of 1999, Lillian decided she wanted to live closer to her son, Ronnie and his family, and she moved to Polson.

As the onset of dementia stole the memory and the language of this wonderful, most accomplished wife and mother, she moved into St. Joseph Assisted Living in Polson, followed by Edgewood Vista in Missoula, and St. Luke Convalescent Center in Ronan. Her family wishes to express their thanks for the caring, professional care afforded her by those fine institutions.

Lillian is survived by her two sons, Larry Lynn of Hemet, Calif., and Ronnie Ray (Linda), of Polson; and grandchildren Ryan Davis of Missoula, Bradley Davis of Livingston, and Jill (Taylor) Walker of Missoula.

At Lillian's request, no services will be held. Memorials are suggested to St. Luke Foundation in Ronan. Cremation has taken place under the direction and care of Grogan Funeral Home & Crematory in Polson.