Liz was born Sarah Elizabeth Tester to Claude Tester and Hazel Cannon Tester November 29th, 1937, in a cabin in Butler, Tennessee. She departed this life as a resident in Avenir Memory Care on October 19th, 2019.

Liz and her parents and sister lived in Butler until 1944 when they moved to Johnson City, TN, where Liz graduated from Science Hill High School in 1956 and went to Berea College, KY, on a nursing scholarship receiving her BSN in nursing in June 1960.

Liz served as a nurse in many venues during her 42 years of service, including an instructor in two nursing schools, teaching Okinawan nurses for two years, being a public health nurse, a psychiatric nurse, and a certified substance abuse counselor. She had a mission circle named after her by her home Baptist Church and was ordained Elder by Hopwood Christian Church in Johnson City.

Liz is survived by her husband of 59 years, Vance Penley Davis; her three sons, Jeffrey Neil Davis, born in Berea, KY, Gregory Litton Davis, born on Okinawa, and Thadd Alan Davis, born in Charleston, SC. ; her sister, Frankie Anne Tester of Naples, FL; her daughters-in-law, Billie Davis, and Kelley Edge Davis; Grandchildren, Sarah Caitlin Rueff, William Penley Davis, Darius Fragopoulos Davis, ‘Hristina Belle Davis, and Evelyn Isabel Davis, and great-granddaughter Aya Laclaira Vanlandingham.

Liz loved gardening and raised many flowers and bushes around her houses. She loved animals and raised and cared for many dogs and cats. She loved to travel and hike and take pictures. She was a singer, being part of quartets, choirs and soloists, especially in church.

It was Liz’s wish to be cremated. A memorial service to honor her memory will be conducted at 11:00 AM on Saturday, November 9, 2019, in the Hopwood Christian Church, 109 Hopwood Lane, Milligan College, TN 37682.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to Alzheimer’s Association, Smokey Mtn Hospice in Knoxville, TN and to the Sarah Elizabeth Tester Scholarship of Berea College, Ky. Details on the Tetrick funeral website.