Dava Hackney
Greenville Herald Banner
Wednesday, Dec 6, 2006
Dava Hackney, 85, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, died Dec. 3, 2006, Greenville at her home in Greenville. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Thursday at Ridgecrest Baptist Church with Rev. Eddie Smith officiating. A private family burial will be at Memoryland Memorial Park. Coker-Mathews Funeral Home is in charge of funeral arrangements. She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Susan and Jim Rath of Houston and Sharon and Joe Leonard of Greenville; six grandchildren, Ryan Levacy, Daniel Leonard and wife Kimberly, Rachel Leonard Cisneros and husband Tony, Allison Rath Finch and husband Robert, Ashley Rath and Emily Rath; three great-grandchildren, Audrey Finch, Reese Levacy and Isaac Cisneros. Dava was born July 27, 1921, in Honey Grove, daughter of James Eugene and Martha Cox Robison. She attended schools in Honey Grove and graduated from Texas Women’s University. She married Leo Hackney on Jan. 14, 1945, in Honey Grove; he preceded her in death on Feb. 22, 2005. She was Mimi to her adored grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Dava enjoyed following her grandchildren’s careers and activities and delighted in celebrating their accomplishments with them. Dava was an active charter member of Ridgecrest Baptist Church. She had served as a Pink Lady at Presbyterian Hospital of Greenville and served on the board of The Salvation Army. She volunteered at the Crisis Line in Greenville. She worked part-time for many years at KGVL/KIKT radio station.
Dava loved social events, reading, working crossword puzzles, playing bridge and Shanghai; she was hard to beat at any game. She relished traveling around the world with Leo and friends. She took pleasure in planning and participating in vacations they took with their daughters and their families for 13 years. Every year she would surprise her family as to where their next vacation destination would be.
Dava exhibited strength and courage in her battle and victory with cancer. She was a faithful caregiver to her husband of 60 years and supported him in his many civic endeavors.
Dava’s loving spirit and strength will be a continuing blessing to her family and all who knew her.
Pallbearers are Jim Rath, Joe Leonard, Ryan Levacy, Daniel Leonard, Tony Cisneros, Robert Finch, Jack Finney and Jack Ramm.
Honorary pallbearers are Allen Stephenson, Wilburn Hilton, Roy Warren and John Wilkins and Mark Snively.
Memorials may be made to Ridgecrest Baptist Church, 6801 Wesley Street, Greenville, Texas 75402; the Multisensory Learning Center, 5905 Stonewall Street, Greenville, Texas 75402; or The American Cancer Society.
Visitation is from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Submitted by Elaine Nall Bay
