Frances Kay Middlebrook Davidson

Frances Kay Middlebrook Davidson (KK to her grandkids, Kay to friends), born on October 17, 1938, in Okemah, OK, to the late Lorene Hunter Middlebrook and Robert Middlebrook, passed away at age 84 July 24, 2023, in Fort Worth, Texas. Kay was married for 62 years to Robert (Bob) Earl Davidson, also originally from Okemah, who passed away July 23, 2018.

Kay is survived by her sons, Terry Davidson (married to Karen Kaska) and Randy Davidson (married to Lisa Fatzinger); daughter, Lori Davidson Kaufmann (married to Matt Kaufmann); grandchildren, Nikki Davidson Weinlein (married to Bill Weinlein), Chris Davidson (engaged to Kari Broome), Lincoln Davidson (married to Victoria Goss), Cody Kaufmann, Amelia Davidson, and Kayla Kaufmann Beaman (married to Matthew Beaman); and great-grandchildren, Rory Weinlein and Zoey Weinlein.

Growing up as an only child, Kay maintained close ties to Oklahoma friends and Bob’s large family as they spread out across Oklahoma and Texas. Kay worked most of her life, beginning as a 14-year-old, 25-cents-per-hour concession stand operator at the Crystal Theater in Okemah. Bob’s printing jobs took the family to Okmulgee, OK; Muskogee, OK; Wichita Falls, TX; and McAlester, OK; but by 1967 she and Bob settled the family in Arlington, TX, and remained there for the next half century. In 2022, Kay moved to Robson Ranch in Denton, TX, to be closer to her daughter, Lori.

Kay worked as a telephone operator for Southwestern Bell in Wichita Falls at a time when few mothers worked outside the home. Her first week on the job coincided with a massive tornado that destroyed phone lines across the region, a true trial by fire. She later worked as an administrator at Meeco Marinas in McAlester and, after moving to Arlington, joined Connecticut General Life Insurance (which became Cigna) in Fort Worth, TX, in the late 1960s. She worked in insurance for 35 years.

Kay was devoted to her family and took great pride in the achievements of her children. From Little League baseball, youth soccer and scouting to baton-twirling and dance lessons, she supported the kids as they grew up with Kay-instilled confidence and a joy for life. Family vacations mostly focused on lake camping, but she broadened horizons with road trips to the Gulf, the West Coast and National Parks. As the kids left home, she and Bob enjoyed further travel adventures, from Maine to Vancouver, and Europe to Ecuador. Kay helped her mother, Lorene, move to Arlington in her later years, enriching her final days and ensuring the great grandchildren knew Rene. In later years Kay doted on her dog babies; Yorkshire Terriers Koko and Maxi provided great companionship. She loved lunches and meetups with friends and family, and her infectious smile and laugh brightened those around her.

A celebration of Kay’s life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 29, 2023, at First Methodist Mansfield Chapel (Building C), 777 North Walnut Creek Drive in Mansfield, TX. After the service, friends and family are invited to the home of Dr. Randy and Lisa Davidson, 1014 St. Andrews Dr., Mansfield, to share stories and fond memories of Kay’s journey. Wade Family Funeral Home – Arlington is handling arrangements, 4140 West Pioneer Pkwy., Arlington, (817) 274-9233.