It is with heavy hearts that our family shares the passing of our generous, warm, and resilient wife, sister, mother, grandmother and great grandmother; Martha Bowman Davis. She passed away on February 7th, 2026 surrounded by the love of her family, both near and far.

Born in Julian, NC, Martha attended Nathanael Greene School until she graduated high school. During those school years, Martha often worked on her family’s farm picking tobacco, milking the dairy cows, and caring for the other barn animals with her older brother Bryan and her youngest sister Elizabeth. Martha was known for her athletic spirit and love of sports. Growing up, she enjoyed playing softball and basketball. While she was playing basketball one afternoon at the YMCA, she met Pyke Cole Davis for the first time. Then while working at Western Electric they met again, fell in love and began their 55-year marriage together that built an unbreakable family foundation.

Martha and Pyke were blessed with two children: her oldest daughter, Marsha Davis Blinkhorn, and her youngest son, Pyke Cole Davis Junior. Martha cared for them in the home until 1980 and then re-entered the workforce with Smart ‘n’ Up Wallcoverings where she would retire after 20 years of management. After retirement she traveled with her husband Pyke to Europe, Hawaii and Canada. They also loved boating and fishing and would frequently spend time in the waters around Cape Lookout, NC. In keeping with her love of sports, she continued to cheer on the North Carolina State Wolfpack and Carolina Panthers faithfully. She enjoyed watching many sports and holding conversations with visitors and family about which player did well each week. Although she had a love for sports, she also had a love for literature and would read many different kinds of books. She loved talking about those books that she read with everyone but she loved debating them with her daughter, Marsha, her granddaughter, Kaitlyn, and her daughter-in-law, Teresa Davis.

Becoming a grandmother, lovingly known as “Nana”, was an instant joy for her. She loved spending time with her grandchildren: John Blinkhorn, Grady Blinkhorn, Kaitlyn Davis, Bowman Davis, Tyler and his wife Allison Williams, and Katie and her husband Blake Scott. Every 4th of July week was spent at White Lake, NC together as a family. This tradition was filled with laughter, love, and togetherness. It was there that the family bonded while creating cherished memories to reminisce on. Becoming a great-grandmother to Walker and Arlen filled her heart with joy. Her eyes would light up when she talked about them and how fast they were growing. She loved watching her family blossom before her eyes and would often say how blessed she was with her family. Throughout her life she maintained a close relationship with family and friends. She would talk daily with her sister Elizabeth and brother Bryan and would meet at least monthly with her high school classmates. The meetings with her classmates would affectionately be called the “Lunch Bunch”.

Martha is survived by her children, Marsha Davis Blinkhorn and Pyke "Cole" Davis, Jr. and wife Teresa; grandchildren, John Blinkhorn, Grady Blinkhorn, Kaitlyn Davis, Bowman Davis, Tyler Williams and wife Allison, and Katie Scott and husband Blake; great-grandchildren, Walker Williams and Arlen Scott; sister, Elizabeth Hauser; and numerous nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Pyke Cole Davis, Sr.; brother, Bryan Bowman, and her parents, Grady and Mary Bowman.

A funeral service will be held at 2 PM on Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at Lowe Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends from 12:45 – 1:45 PM prior to the service. Interment will follow the service at Alamance Memorial Park.

Though our hearts are aching, we know that she will forever be with us even though she is no longer walking beside us. We will reminisce on the stories she left behind, the memories she curated, and her warm laughter that is forever etched in our hearts.

Memorial donations may be made to AuthoraCare Hospice, 914 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington, NC  27215.