Our beloved Sally Ann Davis died and went home to Jesus on September 5, 2026, after battling Alzheimer’s disease. She was 81 years old.

Sally was born in Palo Alto, California, and grew up in Santa Cruz, California, where she developed a lifelong love of the ocean. She met her husband, Jim Davis, while they were both attending Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington. Her family meant the world to her. Together, Sally and Jim had five children, 13 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

Sally lived a life of incredible impact. A lifelong advocate for early childhood education, she founded Northview Christian School in 1991. This year marks the school’s 35th anniversary, and Sally’s legacy continues through the lives of the children, families, and teachers impacted by the school she loved so much. She also taught swimming lessons for many summers in her backyard pool, inspiring thousands of kids to be risk-takers and, like Sally, develop a lifelong love of the water.

But nothing was more important to Sally than her faith in Jesus Christ. Sally became a Christian at the age of 14, and she never looked back. The way she loved and cared for others reflected how deeply she understood God’s love for her. To know Sally was to be known and loved by her.

Sally also knew great loss. Her husband, Jim, died in 2016. In 2021, she lost her only daughter, Cat Davis, to systemic scleroderma. Cat courageously fought the disease for 11 years, and Sally never left her side. She was the consummate caregiver. This past spring, she also lost her daughter-in-law, Brooke Davis. While we grieve each of these losses deeply, we celebrate knowing that Sally has been reunited with those she loved and that they are together again in heaven.

It is difficult to put into words how much Sally meant to all of us. She was a mom, grandma, great-grandma, daughter, sister, mentor, teacher, aunt, friend, and so much more. She was a spiritual hero to many. We imagine Jesus embracing Sally and saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant … welcome home!” (Matthew 25:21).

Sally is survived by her sons Matt (Renee), Dan (Cindy), Tom (Hannah), and Jimmy; her 13 grandchildren, Greysen, Hailey, Noah, Elijah, Kendal, Abby, Sam, Nash, Zarah, Alyze, Jameson, Jackson, and Noelle; and her six great-grandchildren, William, Charlotte, Parker, Leighton, Chloe, and Benjamin.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, October 30, at 1 p.m. at Northview Bible Church, 13521 N. Mill Rd., Spokane, WA 99208. The service will also be streamed live, on the day of the service, through the church’s website at https://northviewbible.church/memorial-services, or on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/live/8X7S_S7JRjo?si=UwUVw9FqcbD009bW.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Northview Christian School, 13521 N. Mill Rd., Spokane, WA 99208.