Lena Bucella Davis, made her entrance into this world on November 19, 1928.  On February 26, 2023, her Heavenly Father called her home at the age of ninety-four.  She was surrounded by her loving family who had cared for her during the last days of her life.

Lena was born at the family home in Midland, Arkansas to Barney and Angelina (Zagonel) Bucella.  She attended Hartford, AR schools, graduating with the class of 1946.  She then became an RN working for a doctor's office.  She often told stories of how operations such as tonsils were performed in the office and not at a hospital in those days.  She enjoyed being a nurse immensely as many of her close friends were nurses and roommates alike.

On March 9, 1957, Lena was united in marriage to Dean DeRoy Davis.  Dean was living in Lodi, California at the time of their introduction but had family he visited often in Ft. Smith where Lena lived and worked.

Sometime in the early 1960's they moved to Beaver City, NE where Dean helped his uncle who was a jeweler and Lena worked alongside Dean from that time forward helping with bookwork or cleaning whatever they might find at a bargain to re-sell.

In 1965, they were approached by the sheriff about taking in a six-week-old baby girl until which time the parents could become responsible for her care.  That never occurred and that little baby became theirs.  Vicky Ann became a Davis.  They were so very overjoyed with this gift they'd been given and cherished their life together.

1967 rolled around and found the family moving to Eagle, CO.  Later that year they moved to Avon, CO where they managed a motel and gas station until which time it was sold by the owners.   They made a move to Hollister, MO, just across the bridge from Branson.  The family was there two years until 1978 when they moved to Phillipsburg.  It was here Lena made her home until her death.

She and Dean ran a second-hand store and fix-it-shop.  After Dean died, she became very active in the United Methodist Women's thrift shop until approximately a year ago when her health would no longer allow her to continue.  She attended church every Sunday making many lifelong friends.   If you knew Lena, she loved to walk all over town, stopping to visit with those who happened to be out as she was.  She never knew a stranger and her greatest gift was her worry that everyone else was taken care of before she was.

Lena will be greatly missed by her family and so many dear friends.  Her daughter always told her she wished she had her blood running through her veins so she could be as loving and calm about life as she was.  She was one of a kind and will be one of God's extra-special angels. To her three great-grandchildren, she was "Mimi", and she would always tell them and everyone she met that they were her pride and joy. The sun rose and set in those three faces, and they talked to and read to her every single day without fail.

She leaves her legacy with her daughter and son-in-law, Vicky and Pat Hewitt of Phillipsburg.  Three grandchildren: Desiree Perrel and husband, Tim of St. Paul, NE, Cameron Hewitt of Plainville, KS, and Jacee Hewitt of Phillipsburg, three great-grandchildren: Ava Angelina Hewitt, Austyn Alynn Perrel, and Ryder Rhett Perrel all of St. Paul, NE., Sister-in-law: Ellen Bucella of Ft. Smith, AR, Niece: Renee Bucella of Barling, AR and Tony R. Bucella and wife, Lisa of Ft. Smith, AR, a great niece and nephew and great-great nephew and many extended family and friends.

Lena was preceded in death by her husband, Dean Davis, her parents Barney and Angelina Bucella, an infant sister, Tommie A. Bucella, sixteen-year-old brother, John B. Bucella and brother, Antone "Tony" Bucella.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 on Friday, March 3, 2023, at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel. Lena will be laid to rest at the Fairview Cemetery in Phillipsburg.

Lena will lie in-state on Wednesday from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Services Inc. or the United Methodist Church.

Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.