Mrs. Rita Nadine Davis, 59, Paola, lifetime resident of Miami County, died unexpectedly Friday, June 23, 1989, at St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City, Mo.

Known as Nadine, she was born Sept. 20, 1929, in Osawatomie, the daughter of Murl D. Billam and Lela Darleen Tush. She attended the Osawatomie schools and graduated from the Osawatomie High School with the Class of 1948. She had served as secretary of the class until this year.

She was united in marriage to Carroll H. Davis March 12, 1950, in Paola. They lived in Paola following their marriage. The family traveled while Mr. Davis served in the Coast Guard but they maintained their home in Paola. Mr. Davis, who was known as Chief, preceded his wife in death May 18.

Mrs. Davis worked at the Miami County Hospital in Paola, first as a nurses' aide and later as medical records clerk. She retired in 1986 due to ill health.

She was an active member of the Paola Perfection Chapter 21 of the Order of Easter Star, the Paola Civic Theatre and Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Sheldon-Banta Post 3712 of Paola.

As hobbies she liked to perform with the civic theater group, read and embroider.

She was a member of the First Christian Church of Paola.

Others preceding her in death included two infant sisters and two children.

Surviving are her two daughters, Rita McKillip of New Orleans, La., and Cary Witt of Shawnee; her father, Murl D. Billam of Paola; a brother, John Billam of Osawatomie; a sister, Gerry Sue Law of Paola; a half brother, Glen Tush of Greeley; and three grandchildren.

Graveside services were held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Paola Cemetery. The Rev. Kendal Bates, pastor of the First Christian Church was the officiant. The services were under the direction of the Wilson and Son Funeral Home of Paola.

Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, the American Heart Association or the Salvation Army.