Dr. Jean Alice Walker McDavid was born October 9, 1952 in Tylertown, MS. During and after college she lived in Starkville, before she passed away on April 18, 2024 at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo, MS.
She received her bachelor’s degree in English from Mississippi State University in 1973. Throughout her lengthy career in service to Mississippi’s citizens, she worked in the Oktibbeha County Tax Assessors office, Education Department, MAFES Dept., and the Research and Curriculum Unit. While there, she decided to continue her education, earning her PhD in Educational Psychology. After retiring from MSU, she taught at East Mississippi Community College Scooba campus as an adjunct professor. She was a woman of never- failing faith. She was also a talented cook and an avid reader. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends camping (usually accompanied by heavy rains or tornados), fishing, but often catching turtles, putting together puzzles, and baking snickerdoodles on rainy Saturdays. She was also a 16-year Gold Star mother and spent several years supporting our country’s wounded warriors and remembering our nations heroes.
As she passed, she fiercely held her daughter’s hand and by extension the hands of her surviving family members. She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Robert Taylor McDavid II of Starkville, MS; daughter, Leslie Baker (Spencer) of Murfreesboro, TN; brothers, Doug Walker of Tylertown, MS and John Walker (Bonnie) of Decatur, MS; granddaughters, Elizabeth Baker, Ellen Babington; great grandchildren, L.T. and Lilly Babington; and a number of nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
When she entered heaven, she was greeted by our Lord, His son, Jesus, her son, Robert Taylor McDavid III, and her parents, Charles Lee and Billie Jean Walker.
We lost a brilliant woman, a loving and cheerful lady, and a beautiful soul. Knowing her, she is baking up a batch of brownies to greet us when we arrive and see her again.
Visitation is scheduled for Saturday, April 20, 2024 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Welch Funeral Home in Starkville, MS and again on Sunday, April 21, 2024, from 1:30-2:30 p.m., with the service Immediately following in the funeral home chapel. Dr. Rev. Martin Lifer will conduct the service. Burial will be in Memorial Garden Park Cemetery in Starkville.
