Cleo (Young) Davis

Cleo (also known as Tootie by her longest known friends) passed away Sunday 17 December 2023 in Hillsboro. She was born on 5 July 1931 and always said she was almost a firecracker. She was a graduate of the 1948 Class of Hillsboro High School and received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Texas. While living and working in Dallas, she met and married Captain Dale T. Davis, Sr. Their wedding took place at the Young residence in Hillsboro on 29 April 1960.

Over the next 13 years, Cleo supported her U.S. Army husband with volunteering on every post they were assigned. These locations included several in Germany; Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base, Missouri; and Fort Amador, Canal Zone, Panama. Her volunteerism included the American Red Cross, Army Community Services Center, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts and any place else she could. While At Fort Sill, she was awarded the esteemed Order of Molly Pitcher for her extraordinary volunteerism in the support and contribution for the improvement of the Field Artillery Community. This was by far the most meaningful recognition she received during her time as an Army wife.

Upon return to Hillsboro, Cleo was involved in more activities than can be named. To say she had an impact on the community is an understatement. She worked tirelessly on everything she volunteered for, spending more time and personal resources than anyone would know. Her favorite areas of interest were cemeteries and genealogy. She had a knack for finding long-gone individuals and connecting the relatives. She received requests from near and far around the world for information about the history of Hillsboro and its citizens. Her mind was an encyclopedia on these matters. She will be missed by many.

Cleo was preceded in death by her husband, Dale. She is survived by her son, Dale T. Davis, Jr of Keller; Elizabeth Davis Schneider and her husband Chuck of Hillsboro; and her son Michael Davis of Waco; grandson TSgt. William Schneider and wife Kathryn of Holloman AFB., N.M.; grandson Devin Davis and wife Haley of Tyler, Texas; granddaughter Erin Schneider-Gaal and husband Jeremy; grandson US Navy Lt. Bradley Davis of Ventura, Ca.; great granddaughter Grace Joy Davis of Tyler, Texas and great grandson William (Liam) Davis also of Tyler, Texas.

Per the desires of Cleo, there will not be a visitation nor a funeral. The burial will be private.

For those interested in honoring Cleo, she was unique, memorials may be sent to the Friends of the Hillsboro City Library with Genealogy Center in the memo or the Hill County Cell Block Museum.