Skowhegan and Dover-Foxcroft - Neola Sybil Davis died on July 30, 2025, at her home in Norridgewock, Maine. She was 96 years old.

The second of three children of Harold E. Stearns and Marjorie A. (Greeley) Stearns, she was born in Sangerville, Maine, on December 29, 1928. She graduated Valedictorian of the Class of 1947 from Sangerville High School and in October of that year married her beloved husband, Wendell E. Davis of Dexter, where they settled and lived for many years.

She joined Central Maine Power Company as a general clerk in 1953. Recognized for exceptional work and her cheerful willingness to assume extra responsibilities, she was promoted in 1975 to the newly created position of Office Supervisor for the Dover-Foxcroft District. In 1979, she became Manager of the Skowhegan District, where she supervised 54 employees in maintaining power lines and equipment, construction of new services, reading meters, billing, customer service, implementing safety protocols, and public relations. She retired in 1991.

By virtue of her tireless dedication and determination, she rose to prominence as a capable, smart, tough, and fair member of the executive class. Her career in business and community service was marked by one milestone after another. As a professional and a dedicated citizen, she was recognized by the Margaret Chase Smith Library for her leadership in a male-dominated field as a distinguished role model for others like her, whose talents and intelligence might have been passed over by the conventions of traditional leadership hierarchy. She was an indefatigable advocate for fairness and equity in every corner of life, much admired by her colleagues, and well-respected by those who worked with her.

Following her retirement, she continued to use her accounting skills as a bookkeeper for several local businesses and devoted energy and expertise as a volunteer for favored organizations. She was a long-time member and avid contributor to the Centenary United Methodist Church and volunteered regularly for local food cupboards, the Special Olympics, and Camp Mechuwana, among others.

To countless acquaintances, she was known as an amiable, good-natured, attentive, and charming fellow traveler. To her friends and family, she was a loving, kind, generous, and gentle kindred spirit. She was a born optimist guided wherever she went by her steadfast belief in the fundamental goodness of human nature. She always appreciated people for who they were, which was why she was so well and widely liked and deeply loved.

Neola was predeceased by her husband, Wendell, and her siblings, Muriel A. Gilbert and Harold E. Stearns, Jr. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Angie Stearns, and her nieces, nephews (and their spouses): David Gilbert, Dennis Gilbert (Steph), Jane Gilbert, Marjorie Ivie, Harold Stearns (Aimee), Kathy Costigan (Galen), Debbi Arsenault, Roger Davis (Victoria), Richard Davis (Debbie), Linda Hoar (Wayne), and Diana Davis, as well as great nieces and nephews.

Visitation for family and friends will be held 10AM Thursday, August 7, 2025, until time of funeral service, at Centenary Methodist Church in Skowhegan. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Special Olympics Maine in her name, 525 MainStreet Unit D, South Portland, ME 04106. Arrangements are in the care of the Lary Funeral Home. Messages of condolence and memories may be expressed atwww.laryfuneralhome.com.