Carol A. Davis

Carol Davis passed away Tuesday, December 21, 2021, in Livingston, Montana. She was born in California in 1940. She married Ben Davis in 1961. They lived in the Seattle area until 1969. That year Carol and Ben moved their family to Bozeman, Montana, long before it was cool! They bought a drafty little farmhouse in Bridger Canyon and started a "country life". First came the gateway farm animals; chickens and geese, and the next thing you know there were experiments in all kinds of animal husbandry! Peacocks, a cow, a horse, guinea fowl, pigs and our favorite 21 wiener dogs our brother Tony found on the side of the road. It was a crazy 70's life and pretty much anything could happen in Montana in the 70's. The only rule was hard work, which, for the most part, made for a pretty interesting home life. There may have been dynamite, parachutes, snowmobiles, and fireworks at any given time. Carol was the cook/den mother for the AO sorority at MSU for a time. (Did we mention the crazy 70's?). She was also the den mother to all of our friends growing up in Bozeman. All were welcome and all were well fed. Our friends had a hide out if needed or an alibi, because Carol was there for them. To this day our childhood friends remember Carol fondly. We hope that some will add a story or two to her memorial online. Anonymously if need be! Carol became the "Deli Queen" at IGA and then at Albertson's in Bozeman for many years. Her last "Deli Queen" job was at the County Market in Livingston before it became Town and Country. There, she charmed all the locals and kept the kids in line. She was a sassy little thing and quick with a jape - but always willing to help anyone in need. Anyone with the privilege of working with her, was better for it. Aside from being a caring and compassionate human she loved our community here in Livingston. She loved driving around in her little black Jetta, unmistakable with dogs' heads out the windows barking at all passersby! Many of you have met her at Mayors Landing where she walked her "favorite people", Bat and Betty, for at least 15 years. You may still be asking yourself "where is that little lady who pulled the weeds on the trail?". After retirement, Carol worked at the B Civilized gallery (across from the MT Cup). She loved chatting with tourist and giving them a welcoming face to remember. Another place you might have met her was as a volunteer, diligently doing the laundry, at Stafford Animal Shelter. She and Ben not only donated regularly, but they adopted many animals that needed homes, cats, dogs, chickens, songbirds and 12 fancy pigeons, to name a few. She was always willing to take them in and keep them safe and happy till the end. Carol passed away at age 81 on the Winter Solstice quietly in her bed. She was raised Catholic but did not practice in her adult life, so perhaps we can appreciate this celestial event in her honor and acknowledge the visible manifestation of the cycles of life and death. She was loved dearly and will be missed greatly. Carol is survived by her three children: Tony Davis and his wife Stephanie, Aaron Davis and his wife Jody, her daughter Gwen Davis Strachan; two nieces, Kelly and Kerry Collins; a nephew, Patrick Collins; and by three grandchildren, Jefferson and Miles Strachan, and Suzanna Davis. We would like to thank Karrisa and the staff at Frontier Assisted Living for caring for Carol during her battle with dementia. We couldn't have done it without you! Franzen-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements.