Rhodema Davis was born Feb. 11, 1918, five minutes before her sister Corabell. She died Oct. 28, 2007.

Rhodema was restricted in activity at the age of 12, when she was sent home to die of congestive heart failure, the result of strep throat and rheumatic fever. She survived, family members say, because of God’s grace, the daily care of her stepmother and her aunt, both nurses, and her sister Corabell.   

 Music was an important part of Rhodema’s life, much of it in tandem with her sister. They sang in the church choir and high school musicals, learned to play the piano and eventually became choir directors. Rhodema also played the bass viola, marimba and chimes in the school orchestra and band.

Trading places with her twin sister is how Rhodema met her husband Donald. The relationship led to marriage and two children, Earl and Donna Kay (DK).

Don died suddenly in the mid-1970s.  

Church, music, family and friends were steadfast in Rhodema’s life.  She encouraged music at all levels, including with her grandchildren.

 While living in Belgium for two years (1982-1983), Rhodema joined the church bell choir. Her musical background allowed her to blend in with ease. The highlight of that experience was playing with the bell choir in concert at the Mons Cathedral. She continued to have an interest in the bells but wasn’t able to join with another group until she moved to Vashon and became a part of the Methodist Church Bell Choir. 

Family members say Rhodema preferred to see the positive side of each person, an experience or situation. If she could find a way to help out she would.  

Survivors include her sister Corabell Mecham, her nephew Jim Hannay and his wife Leslie, her daughter DK Davis-Moore and her husband John Moore, her son Earl Davis and his wife Linda, grandchildren Conor Moore and his wife Amanda, Christi Moore Lenz and her husband Brian Lenz, Amanda Renee Davis and great-grandchild Akeelah Moore. 

  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Vashon United Methodist Church or Providence Hospice Foundation would be appreciated.