Mary Evelyn Coney "Bebe" Davidson

Mary Evelyn Coney – “Bebe” – Davidson died Monday morning, January 25, 2010 at Hospice Atlanta. She was 81 years old. Born in Americus, and reared in Columbus, Georgia, she was educated in the Columbus city schools, at Stratford College in Danville, VA, and graduated from Wesleyan Conservatory. Bebe married John K. Davidson III of Lithonia in 1952. While beginning their family life and supporting her husband’s medical practice in Columbus, she pursued vocal studies and soloed for St. Luke’s UMC, for weddings and funerals, and for Columbus opera performances and the Columbus Symphony. She once won the Atlanta Pops Concert auditions and soloed at the Fox Theater.   In 1959, they moved to Canada where her husband studied at the University of Toronto. While there, she continued vocal studies at the Royal Conservatory of Music. They settled permanently in Atlanta in 1968. She was a life member of the Jr, League of Atlanta, and Past President of the Medical Association of Atlanta Auxiliary. A leader at Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church, she served on the Administrative Board, chaired the Older Adult Committee, and served as 2^nd Vice President of the Jake Ward Sunday School Class. She was an avid gardener and became a watercolor artist. A Signature Member of the Georgia Watercolor Society, she was well known for her evocative paintings.   She is survived by four children: John Keay IV, Dorothy Elizabeth Ruas, Anne Ralston, and Georgia Dial Davidson, son-in-law Ernie Ruas, and three grandchildren, Lisa, Emily and Andre Ruas. The funeral will be held Thursday, January 28, 2:00 PM in the Little Chapel of Glenn Memorial UMC, 1660 N. Decatur Rd., Atlanta, 30307. The family will receive visitors from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at A.S. Turner and Sons, Decatur. Memorials may be given in lieu of flowers to Glenn Memorial UMC.