Marla Kay Davis, 89, affectionately known as “MiMi,” passed away surrounded by the love of her family on Oct. 6, 2026. She was born May 28, 1937, in Miller, MO, to Loma Wilma (Ruark) Hinshaw and Kenneth Boyd Hinshaw. Raised on a farm, Marla learned from an early age what it meant to work hard, take care of what was hers, and never be afraid to get her hands dirty. She was married to Ronnie Jay (RJ) Davis on May 7, 1975, after meeting Ronnie while working as a clerk at the Fort Scott Sale Barn.
Kay was a woman of many talents and even more personality. She could paint a house, hang wallpaper, cook a meal, bake a batch of cinnamon rolls or homemade rolls that her grandchildren still talk about, tend a garden, ride a horse, and shop until she found exactly what she was looking for. She spent many years painting and wallpapering homes alongside her dear friend Mary Lou Breden, a partnership that continued well into their 70s. They worked hard, laughed hard, and undoubtedly got into their fair share of trouble along the way.
A true Western woman at heart, Kay enjoyed running barrels on her horses. She loved country music, old Westerns, and the Hallmark Channel. She was also a passionate Michigan athletics fan and was never shy about sharing her opinion on a coach—especially when they failed to live up to her standards. She was a devoted Kansas City Chiefs fan and could always be counted on to have something to say about the game. Even deeper than her love for Michigan and the Chiefs was her support of her grandchildren and watching them compete, even up to the last few weeks of her life. But more than anything, Kay loved her family. She loved her four children with all her heart. Her twelve grandchildren were a tremendous source of joy and pride. Her two great-grandsons held an especially precious place in her heart.
Kay had a way of making life more fun. She was ornery, quick-witted, and always up for a good laugh or a well-timed prank. She loved to tease, and if you knew her well, you probably learned that you had to be ready for whatever she might come up with next. Her laugh, her stories, her strong opinions, and her unmistakable personality made her impossible to forget.
She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her son-in-law, John McNeley, and both of her siblings, Ardith Tartar and Bill Hinshaw.
Survivors include her children, Jodie McNeley, Jayson Davis (Shawnda), Brandon Davis (Erin), and Jayme Belisle (Regin); 12 grandchildren: Morgan Sanderson (Cole), Myles McNeley (Hope), Logan McNeley, and Lane McNeley; Jared Davis and Wyatt Davis; Brodie Davis and Grant Davis; Brynn Belisle, Josie Belisle, Sadie Belisle, and TJ Belisle; and 2 great-grandchildren, Maclin Sanderson and Myer Sanderson.
Kay leaves behind a family who will forever carry pieces of her with them—their love of family, their willingness to work hard, their appreciation for a good country song or Western, and, perhaps most importantly, their ability to laugh at themselves and enjoy the little things.
She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend, and one-of-a-kind MiMi. She will be deeply missed, dearly loved, and never forgotten.
A Graveside Service was held at 11 AM Oct. 9, 2026 at Mt. Zion Cemetery, Rockville, MO. Visitation was preceding from 9 – 11 AM. Memorial donations are to Mt. Zion Cemetery and may be sent to the arranging funeral home, Hill & Son Funeral Home in Appleton City, MO.
