Enid Weidenbach Davis

Enid Marie Weidenbach Davis, 95, of Midland, Texas, peacefully left this mortal coil to join her Savior and once more stand beside her dear husband on Tuesday, November 15, 2022.

She was born on July 30, 1927, to Oscar Frederick and Pansy Modena (Copeland) Weidenbach in Merkel, Texas. Enid graduated from Odessa High School before attending Tarleton Agricultural College in 1945. She transferred to Texas Christian University (TCU) and graduated in 1949 with a Bachelor’s degree in journalism. Enid was a lifelong supporter of her alma mater.  She actively participated in the Alumni Association and closely followed, to her last, Horned Frog football. The final week of her life, Enid was thrilled to watch TCU as they outscored the University of Texas as part of a, thus far, undefeated season.

After graduating from TCU, Enid moved to Midland, Texas, and began working as an administrative assistant for oilfield service companies, including Schlumberger and Baroid.

In June 1950, Enid ceremoniously wed her one true love, Cody Lee Davis, in Midland. They welcomed daughters Cynthia Eileen in 1956 and Barbara Cecile in 1959. The couple was actively involved in their church, the community, and their children’s lives and education. Enid and Cody raised their daughters to value education, as well as to find and keep varied and active interests. She passed these traits on to her grandchildren. Enid was passionate about politics. Fun fact, she and Cody, along with other disgruntled members of Midland’s Democratic Party, established the Midland branch of the Republican Party in the 1950’s. The two celebrated 39 joy-filled anniversaries before Enid’s and the girls’ beloved husband and father passed away in 1989.

Enid took great pride in her Texas heritage, considered Midland her forever home, and actively loved her community. She enjoyed regular trips to the Midland Downtown Farmers Market and spent much of her time getting to know the market vendors. Through the last year of her life, Enid took courses at Midland College in myriad subjects, from politics and law to religion, literature and creative writing. She was also an active member of the International and Gourmet groups of the American Association of University Women. Despite declining vision, Enid continued to participate in her monthly book group.

Enid’s participation in the city she loved didn’t stop there. She was a member of the Midland Opera Guild and loved attending operas in Midland, Fort Worth and Santa Fe with her group. She also actively supported the Midland Community Theatre and the Midland-Odessa Symphony Orchestra.

Ever appreciative of the arts, Enid was perhaps most notably a supporter of the Museum of the Southwest in Midland since its inception in the 1960s. After leaving her more than 25-year career at Baroid, she went on to work as the assistant to the director of the museum for more than a decade. Her love of Southwest-inspired art and culture could be seen in everything from her home decor to her jewelry and fashion.

As was common among members of her generation, Enid found joy and purpose in work, and never could one accuse her of having idle hands. Upon retirement from the museum, Enid volunteered at the Midland County Public Library before rejoining the workforce as Volunteer Coordinator. She also volunteered at the Sibley Nature Center. Due to naught but age, Enid finally retired well into her 70s… but even then, she never stopped moving and shaking.

To her final day, Enid was an active and beloved member of Midland’s First Christian Church. A member for more than 60 years, she and Cody raised their daughters there. They were members of the Pairs and Spares Sunday School class. She was a member of the Christian Women’s Fellowship, taught Sunday School to high school students, served communion to shut-ins, and folded newsletters for the church. Enid also served as a Deacon and an Elder.

The world was most certainly Enid’s oyster, as not only was she actively engaged in everything from continuing education to the arts, she also loved to travel and never stopped longing to expand her reach. She and her family loved to camp and hike when the girls were young, and family-favorite vacation spots included Estes Park, Colorado, and Santa Fe, New Mexico. During her tenure at the Museum of the Southwest, she traveled to Ireland. While she didn’t find time to travel nearly as often nor as far as she’d hoped, to the very end, she hoped and planned to visit everywhere from Alaska and New York City to Germany and Italy.

Enid is preceded in death by her parents Oscar and Pansy Weidenbach, her husband Cody Davis, and her brother Fred Weidenbach and nephew Wade. Honorable mentions must also include her succession of cherished dachshunds (never would Enid adopt any other breed of dog).

She is survived by daughters Cynthia (Cindy) Davis Belden of Ballinger and Cecile Davis Mear of Cincinnati and their respective husbands Matt and John. Enid is also survived by her brothers Carl Weidenbach and wife Ruth of College Station, and Paul Weidenbach and wife Annita of Keller. She will be dearly remembered by her grandchildren Martha Elaine Belden of Dallas, Joseph Davis Belden of San Antonio, and Shannon Lee Belden of Ft. Worth as well as nieces Kathryn, Lara, and Leann, and nephews Eric, Jon, Marty, and Myron.

Enid’s family and innumerable friends will best remember her for her deep-seated faith, her love of cooking and gardening, and her undeniably sharp mind. She never tired of reading nor of talking literature, politics and TCU football. Never short a cup of tea, a newspaper or a book, Enid’s warmth and wit will be forever missed.

A memorial service for Enid will be held on December 3, 2022, at 3:00 at First Christian Church, Midland, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Enid’s name to First Christian Church or the charity of your choice.