Barbara Ann Cleveland Davis

Barbara Ann Cleveland Davis, 80, passed away peacefully on January 3, 2023, at the Community Hospice Anne & Donald McGraw Center for Caring at the Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville.

Barbara was born on July 15, 1942, in Great Falls, Montana, to USAF Major Bernie Wilcox Cleveland and Lee Marie Hofmann Cleveland. After retiring from the military, the Clevelands moved to Florida, managing hotels and apartment buildings in St. Augustine and Jacksonville Beach. As an only child, Barbara had a lot of freedom and enjoyed riding her bicycle all around the beaches. After a move to the Southside, Barbara graduated from Englewood Senior High School in June 1960 and went to work for the telephone company. On July 6, 1966, Barbara married Ryan Cotten Davis from Washington, N.C. The couple raised three sons: Keith Allen “Chip”; Alex Marshall; and Adrian Lee. When their sons were young, Barbara worked for the Duval County School System and later the Jacksonville Public Library as a clerk. She has many loyal loving friends from her working years, especially her library lady friends who regularly met for lunches even after her retirement.

Everyone who knew Barbara learned two things right away: She loved sunflowers and cats. Especially cats. So many cats!

Barbara is predeceased by her parents, Bernie and Lee Cleveland; her husband of 51 years Ryan Davis; her eldest son Chip; and a nephew, Eric Davis.

She is survived by her sons Alex and Adrian; her sister-in-law Norma Davis; her daughter-in-law Nancy Rodriguez Davis; her grandson Dimitri Rodriguez; and many loving nieces and nephews in Jacksonville, Virginia, and Maine.

There will be no funeral service. Friends wishing to honor her memory may donate in her name to the Jacksonville Humane Society; Hart Felt Ministries; Community Hospice; or the Jacksonville Public Library.

Special thanks to Barbara’s long-time health care provider Lori Austin-McDonald, social worker Sarah L. Young-Veiga and the wonderful, caring staff of Community Hospice for providing peace and comfort to Barbara in her final days.