Mary Elizabeth Davidson

Mary Elizabeth Davidson of Grasonville, MD, died Friday March 24, 2023, at home. She was 84. Born on October 30, 1938, in Grasonville, MD, she was the daughter of the late George Franklin Shanks and Lena E. Sterling. As a child, she loved spending summer on the farm with her grandparents. As she blossomed into a young adult, she was known as a very intelligent reader, writer, and poet who was a straight A student. Her favorite sport in high school was volleyball, and she loved to dance with her sweetheart. Mary had fond memories of waitressing at Fisherman’s Inn in her teen years. She married her high school sweetheart, Phillip J. Davidson. They would begin their family in Germany as Jack was serving in the Army. Returning from Germany to Maryland with her three daughters in tow, she made a home and increased her family by another daughter and a son. Mary then began her career with the State of Maryland. She worked for 36 years with the State, starting as a toll collector on the Bay Bridge and then retiring from the State Comptroller’s Office Tax Division where many friends were made. She loved crocheting, knitting, quilting, cooking, canning, and spending time with her family. She had many grand adventures throughout her life, one of which, with her second love Billy Ray, was being stranded in the Atlantic for several weeks on a disabled sailboat bound for the Caribbean. By the grace of God, they finally got a tow to port, made repairs and continued the journey. She spent her years in retirement enjoying family, church, and many luncheons with her lifelong friends and the girls from work. She was a member of Immanuel United Methodist Church in Grasonville, MD. She is survived by her four children, Jackie Benton (Bobby), Ruthie Baker (Keith), Patty Davidson, and Phillip J. Davidson, II (Erin); two sisters, Phyllis Austin and Patricia Smith; a brother, Henry O’Donnell; son- in-law, Jim Salb; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews which were all special to her. She was predeceased by her daughter, Michelle Salb; a brother, Franklin Shanks; and sister, Emily Thomas. A funeral service will be held at noon on Saturday April 1, 2023, at the Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, 106 Shamrock Road Chester, MD 21619, with a visitation from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Mary Elizabeth Davidson

October 30, 1938 - March 24, 2023