Jeanne Elizabeth Eccles Davis

Jeanne Elizabeth Eccles Davis went to be with her Lord on March 18, 2011 surrounded by her loving family. Born February 6, 1931 at the family home in Coeur d'Alene, ID to Edwin James Eccles and Margaret (Hunter) Eccles, Jeanne was the oldest of a brother, Stanley James Eccles, and a sister, Bonnie Joyce Eccles. The family moved to and farmed the Eccles Family homestead in Hiawatha Valley until 1934, then moved to Electric City during the construction of Grand Coulee Dam. In 1942 the family took up permanent residency in Moses Lake. 

Jeanne graduated from Moses Lake High School in 1949 and shortly thereafter, married Fayette Wallace Stilwill, with whom her first four children were born. In 1965, the family moved to the Seattle area and in 1967 she married Leonda Tipton Davis, and happily added three more daughters to her brood, making a total of seven children. Jeanne was a very loving and devoted mother and step-mother to all of her children and took great pleasure in the close relationship of her 'blended' family. 

Jeanne served the major portion of her professional career as an accountant, Program/Budget Analyst and Management Analyst, which led her to Seattle, the Washington DC area, and Heidelberg, Germany. She retired from the U.S. Government (FEMA) in1995. She and Lee returned to Moses Lake in 1998 and, after 34 years living in large cities, thoroughly enjoyed the simplicity and friendliness of a smaller town. After Lee's death in 2005, Jeanne remained active in her church and community, and enjoyed traveling and receiving family and friends in her home.

Many things can be listed to her credit, but most important was that Jeanne loved the Lord with all of her heart, soul, strength and mind, and she loved her neighbor as herself. Jeanne's favorite scripture was the 'Golden Rule' - "All things therefore whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do ye also unto them: for this is the law and the prophets" (Matthew 7:12). Jeanne lived her life by that rule. She was truly a good person. Her family saw that goodness in her, her neighbors saw that goodness in her; everyone who knew her saw that goodness in her. She was different - like God says we should be different. She was a gentle soul, tender-hearted and kind, understanding and supportive, self-sacrificing and benevolent. In a world where self-interest and self-service is the norm, Jeanne truly cared for the well-being of others. 

To her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Jeanne was a wonderful grandmother. We always knew how special each of us was to her, how much we were loved and cherished by her. To her children, she was the best mother we could have ever wished for. It was once said about Jeanne: "If her children love you, Jeanne loves you." We will miss you, Mom, so very much. 

We little knew that morning, 

God would call your name,

In life we loved you dearly, 

In death we do the same.

It broke our hearts to lose you, 

You did not go alone,

For part of us went with you 

The day God called you home.

You left us beautiful memories, 

Your love is still our guide,

And though we cannot see you, 

You are always at our side.

Our family chain is broken, 

And nothing seems the same,

But as God calls us one by one, 

The chain will link again.

Jeanne was preceded in death by her husband of 37 years, Leonda Davis, and her parents, James and Margaret Eccles. Along with a faithful and loving Church family whom she eagerly waits in paradise to see again, Jeanne leaves behind a large and adoring family, each with cherished memories of her. They include a sister, Bonnie Eccles, Cheney, WA.; a brother, Stanley Eccles, Wenatchee, WA; her children, Eleanor Stilwill Kirkpatrick, Moses Lake, Margaret (Lyle) Stilwill Graddon, Bellevue, WA.; Gloria (Ron) Stilwill Cope, Coeur d'Alene, ID; Steven Stilwill, Moses Lake, WA, Pamela (Barry) Davis Nelson, Rio Rancho, NM; Karen Davis Smullin, Snohomish, WA; Lisa Davis Quaring, Marysville, WA.. Jeanne is also survived by her grandchildren, Christopher Nelson, Rebecca (Chris) Woods, Kevin Kirkpatrick, Brian (Elizabeth) Graddon, Maria Graddon, Blair (Javier) Perez, Aaron (Carly) Cope, Jim (Tara) Cope, Zachary, Jessica, Nicholas and Claire Stilwill, Kristine (Nathan)Bowles, Kelly (Jeremy Montoya) Nelson, Corey (Lisa) Smullin, Cody Smullin, Brock Davis, Bobby Quaring. Along with her children and grandchildren, Jeanne had 15 great grandchildren, and cousins, nieces and nephews whom she loved very much. 

A celebration of Jeanne's life will be held at 2:00 P.M. on April 9, 2011 at the Masto Conference Center in the ATEC Bldg 1800 (BBCC campus); 7611 Bolling St. N.E., Moses Lake, WA.