Everett Richard Davidson, 97, of Melrose, rural Clark County, IL passed away in Terre Haute Regional Hospital at Terre Haute, IN on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. Richard was born Feb. 7, 1927 west of Paris, IL, the son of Dennis and Alice Scroggs Davidson. He lived his youth on the farm outside of Paris and attended Paris High School, where he graduated in 1945. Immediately following graduation he went into the Army and served during WWII. He loved his country and he loved serving in the Army. He met the love of his life in high school, Elvena Graham, and wrote her many love letters while overseas. He was honorably discharged in 1947 and immediately went back to Paris and married Elvena on Feb. 2, 1947 and were married for 77 years prior to his death. After their marriage in Paris, he worked at the Grab- It- Here a few years, then they moved to Georgetown, IL and he managed a Grab-It-Here at Westville, IL. They lived in Georgetown for 24 years and later he became the Building Materials Manager at Sears Roebuck in Danville, IL where he worked for 16 years. Surviving are his wife Elvena; three children and their spouses, Dennis Richard (Linda) Davidson of Georgetown, IL. Cynthia (Daniel) Shaffer of Indianapolis, IN and Cathy (Tom) York of West York, IL. Following retirement from Sears Roebuck in 1974, they decided to move to Elvena’s farm homeplace at(Melorse) West York, IL. where they built a home and lived on the farm. Richard was also an expert wallpaper hanger until he retired. In the winter Richard and Elvena spent much of their time in Chiefland, FL. They met and made beautiful memories while in FL with their friends both from Chiefland and with their friends up north. They called their place in Chiefland “ Melrose South” and home was “Melrose North”. Richard’s life was full of adventures, hard work and story telling. He had many stories to share about his service in the Army, growing up in Paris, camping and seeing the country, friends and adventures in FL and life in general. He was very proud of his kids and family and showed his love to his family even in his last days. Richard was considered the patriarch of the family and had 7 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild, all of whom he was proud of. Richard was an active member of the Martinsville Christian Church where he served as an elder for several years. He also was instrumental in helping establish the Chiefland Christian Church in Chiefland, FL where he served as an elder for many winter months. His faith was strong even in his final hours and he is now in the arms of his loving Savior. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Dennis and Alice Davidson and three brothers, Robert Davidson, Don Davidson and Dennie Davidson and several other family members. Richard’s legacy will always be remembered by his love for Christ, the church, his family and for country. He will be truly missed by family and friends, but he is now truly “home”! Visitation will be 4-7 PM Tuesday at the Martinsville Christian Church, 324 N. York St., Martinsville, IL with additional visitation from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM prior services in honor of his life at 11:00 AM Wednesday at the church with Randy Murphy, Albert Bricker and Randy Smith officiating. Burial will be in the Olive Branch Cemetery with military graveside rites. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Martinsville Christian Church or to the Chiefland Chirsitan