DAVIS, JESSIE FRANCES CARDWELL (1933 - 2024). The following is an obituary for Frances Davis, spouse of George Harold Davis, former member of the Texas House of Representatives. The obituary was provided by Harrell Funeral Home of Austin. 

In Loving Memory of Jessie Frances Cardwell Davis, a woman whose love for people knew no boundaries. She entered into the arms of her Savior on December 29, 2024 in Austin, Texas at the age of 91. Her kind and gentle spirit, coupled with her unwavering faith in Jesus, left an indelible mark on everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. She was born on June 20, 1933 in Oklahoma to Dr. Jesse Franklin Cardwell and Mary Helen Cunningham Cardwell.

She attended Baylor University where she met George Harold Davis and they were married in February, 1953. Together, they founded World Hope Ministries International. It began in 1963, but was not officially founded until 1975. Harold said “She married her lifelong partner in ministry.”

Frances grew up with a heart full of compassion and a desire to make the world a better place. She lived her life as a supportive wife and devoted mother, always prioritizing the well-being and happiness of her family. Her home was a sanctuary of love, laughter, and hospitality, where people from all corners of the world felt welcomed and valued. Frances was deeply committed to her faith and found immense joy in her church community and ministries all over the globe. She thrived in fellowship and dedicated herself to serving with World Hope Ministries, spreading the message of Jesus Christ with passion and grace.

Sharing the Gospel was her greatest purpose, and she approached it with a genuine heart and an open home, often hosting and entertaining guests from diverse cultures and backgrounds. Her kindness knew no limits, and she treated everyone with the same love and respect, whether they were lifelong friends or strangers passing through. Frances believed in the power of connection and the importance of showing Christ’s love through her actions.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and her brother, Ben Cardwell.

Frances is survived by her children: Son, Dwight Davis, and his wife, Linda; Daughter, Cindy Powell, and her husband, Mickey; Son, Hal Davis, and his wife, Jennifer; Daughter, Melinda Chavez, and her husband, Gerald; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and a host of family and friends who will carry forward her legacy of love and faith.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to World Hope Ministries International, at WHMI.org. Your memorial gift will reflect Frances’s passion for sharing Jesus with the world. Frances’s light may no longer shine among us, but her love, kindness, and dedication to her Savior will forever illuminate the hearts of those she touched.

There will be a private family service at the Texas State Cemetery in Austin, Texas. Services entrusted to Harrell Funeral Home of Austin.