June 13, 1937-Dec. 2, 2022
Kay Frances Tibbals Davenport of Orem, Utah, peacefully passed away on Dec. 2, 2022, in St. George, Utah, surrounded by her daughters and grandchildren, whom she greatly loved. She was born June 13, 1937, in Columbus, Ohio, to Alfred Todd and Helen Adaline Lea Tibbals.
Kay graduated from Upper Arlington High School then made the bold move to Nashville, Tennessee, where she received her bachelor’s degree in sociology from Vanderbilt University and was a member of AOPi Sorority. In 1959, Kay married Gene L. Davenport, and in 1963, they moved to Jackson, Tennessee, where two daughters, Pamela and Deborah, were born. Kay and Gene later divorced.
In 1972, while in Jackson, Kay became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; she was a very dedicated and faithful member the rest of her life. In 1975, Kay and her two daughters moved to Orem, Utah, where Kay joyfully resided until June 2022, when she moved to assisted living in St. George, Utah, to be closer to her daughters.
Some of the joys in Kay’s life (besides her family) included: traveling around the world; taking pictures of creative mailboxes; researching family history; weekly group temple trips; being a Girl Scout leader; attending plays at the Hale Theater; watching BYU sports, especially football; playing the piano; doing puzzles; and spending time in the beautiful mountains. She was a very generous person, made friends easily and left a lasting impression on all.
Kay is survived by her daughters: Pamela (Jeffery) Graf of St. George, Utah, and Deborah (Derik) Leavitt, of Avondale, Arizona; nine grandchildren: Rebecca (Joseph) Kayne; Brian (Ellen) Graf; Kevin Graf; Michelle (Tanner) Burton; Lyndsi Graf; Devin, Emily, Mason, and Kate Leavitt; 10 great-grandchildren; and brothers: Todd Tibbals (Andrea Escher) of Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Thomas Tibbals, of Powell, Ohio.
Kay is preceded in death by her brother Terry McClure Tibbals, sister Joy Tibbals and great-grandson William Emmett Kayne.
Viewings will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 6-8 p.m., and Thursday, Dec. 29, 9- 9:45 a.m., at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff St., St. George, Utah. A Celebration of Life will follow at 10 a.m., also at the mortuary, with internment in the Santa Clara City Cemetery.
Those who are unable to attend the services in person are invited to click here to view the services.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to so many faithful and loving friends who visited and cared for Kay for the four years she lived in TreeO in Orem, Utah. We cannot repay the amount of love and generosity that was shown during that time.
In lieu of sending flowers, please consider contributing to Primary Childrens’ Hospital or LDS Humanitarian Aid.
Arrangements are under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S Bluff St., St. George, 435-673-2454. Family and friends are invited to sign Kay’s online guest book.