DAVIS, Josephine (Jo)

Black’s Show Low Mortuary, Show Low, Arizona Josephine Hajek Davis (November 29, 1924 - July 30, 2012) Josephine Hajek Davis, 87, of Heber/Overgaard died Monday July 30, 2012 in Lakeside. Josephine was known as Jo to her close friends but to her family she was known as Toots. Jo was born on the family farm, 5 miles south of Sidney Nebraska on November 29, 1924 to John Frank and Gertrude Lenzen Hajek. Josephine married Thomas Edgar Davis of Scottsbluff, Nebraska June 14, 1952 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Sidney, Nebr. Education was important to Josephine, her own and the education of the many children she taught. She attended grade school and graduated high school with valedictorian honors in 1942 from St. Patrick’s Academy in Sidney, Nebraska. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Ursuline Catholic College in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1946 and with a Masters from Arizona State University in 1966. She taught the 2nd grade at Queen of Peace Catholic School in Mesa, AZ and at Williams Air Force Base outside of Phoenix, AZ for over 28 years. She was a partner with Tom operating Tom’s Carpets, a successful small business in Mesa, until they moved to the White Mountains in 1988. Living in the White Mountains was Jo’s dream come true. She and her family started vacationing in Section 31 of the Heber/Overgaard area in the late 1970’s. Josephine’s many accomplishments besides being a beloved grade school teacher included: the Sioux Ordinance Depot Queen during Fort Sidney Days; Honorable Mention as Woman of the Year for Heber/Overgaard; appreciation from the American Legion for her work in the Ladies Auxiliary Unit 86, work with the local Catholic Church, and 12 years as the Associate and then District Coordinator for the AARP IRS Tax Aide Volunteer program. Josephine is preceded in death by her husband, Thomas “Tom” Davis, two children William Paul and Mary Carmel; her parents, and all five of her brothers. Survivors include her son John Davis of Heber/Overgaard; five sisters-in-law and two brothers-in-law; and numerous nephews and nieces. A Rosary service will be held at 5:30 PM Sunday, August 5, 2012 at Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church in Overgaard. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10AM Monday, August 6, 2012 at the church. Burial will be at Heber Cemetery.