Beverly (Stafford) Davis

Beverly Stafford Davis, 85, passed away in hospice care at the Green Home early June 1st, 2023.  She will be dearly missed by friends and family, including her husband of 59 years, Bruce Davis; brother, Paul (Phyllis) Stafford; cousin, Paula (William) Greer; nephews, Todd Stafford and Michael (Sabrina) Stafford; great-niece, Danielle (Kyle) Wagner; great-nephews, Taylor and Cayden Stafford; and her beloved dog, Katie.  Bev was born on March 19, 1938, the daughter of the late Pete and Wuanita Stafford.  She graduated from Wellsboro High School in 1956 where she was an exceptional coronet player as well as a vocal student under the tutelage of Rosa Hamilton.  Her love and talent for music led to a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Mansfield College in 1961.  Upon receiving her degree, she accepted a teaching position at Towanda High School.  Barely older than her students, she became the director of the Black Knights marching and concert bands, taught various music theory classes, and was the director of many school concerts and Broadway-Style musicals.  In addition, she was the choir director at Towanda’s Methodist Church.

Life took an interesting turn in 1970 when she accompanied Bruce to his new assignment at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska.  The adventure began when she drove her own car from Wellsboro to Anchorage via the dangerous, unpaved 600-mile Alcan Highway.  Once there, she began to embrace life in this strange new place.  She accepted a teaching position at a private school, enjoyed weekend camping trips in the wilds, and was an avid night skier at Mount Alyeska, known as:  “The Steep and Deep.”

She and Bruce returned to the Lower 48 during the summer of 1973.  They settled in Woodbridge, VA, where Bev joined the Prince William County school system.  During her 30-year tenure there she taught music.  In 2003, as retirement neared, they began designing a new home in Wellsboro, each weekend visit to town allowing Bev the opportunity to make yet one more revision to the plan.  They remained in Woodbridge until 2008, at which time they returned permanently to the hometown where it all began.

Bev’s arrangements have been entrusted to the Tussey-Mosher Funeral Home, 139 Main Street, Wellsboro, PA.  Per her request there will be no memorial service and her burial in Wellsboro Cemetery will be private.  Donations in Bev’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society at donate.cancer.org.  To share a memory or condolence with her family visit www.tusseymosher.com.

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