May 20, 1935 — Sept. 19, 2015

Nell Davis Rocha, 80, of Tucson, Arizona, left this world Sept. 19, 2015, after a tragic fall in her home. Nell’s life began May 2, 1935, in Bexar, Alabama, the daughter of Clovis and Ciela Colburn. She grew up in Marion County, Alabama, in a large family with four brothers and two sisters. She married in 1954 and had one son. She eventually moved to South Bend, Indiana as a teenager where she worked in a restaurant called Nola’s. She worked many long hours and in no time at all, went from waitress to manager.

Nell met her true love, Elwyn L. Davis at the White House in Niles, Michigan. They were married and had one son. From this union she also gained three step-children. Nell moved to many different places in the country. She became the manager of several apartment complexes.

After her husband’s passing, she married John Rocha and gained a step daughter. Nell decided to settle down in Tucson, Arizona.

Throughout Nell’s life she met many people and touched their lives. She was loved by all who came in contact with her. She loved nature and going hunting and she wouldn’t just sit back and watch – she was out there catching fish and shooting her prize game. She also loved to watch her favorite team, the Arizona Wildcats, and was an avid NASCAR fan.

After John passed she met Juan “Johnny” Ortiz, her last love. They spent many years together and she immediately became a part of the Ortiz family. Nell was a sweet, elegant and straight forward lady. She was respectful and brought up with the Bible. She had a memory that was out of this world. Nell worshipped her children and grandchildren. She raised a grandson, Lauro “Eddie” Villegas as her own son from the time he was five months old.

Nell will be truly missed by all. She is survived by her two sons, James B. (Lawassa) Hagood, Anthony Davis; one step daughter, Marlene “Joy” (Robert) Rocha Lizarraga; one step son, Lee V. (Judy) Davis; fifteen grandchildren, Lauro “Eddie” Villegas, Denise (Robert) Williams, Penny (Louie) Borso, Dreamlee Davis, Gregory Davis, Jennifer (Jeff) Lohraff, Tatiana (Stephan Hestmark) Gallegos, Sandra Rocha, Alyssa Shelby, Kiana Shelby, Destina Lizarraga, Carina Lizarraga, Carlie Lanor Hagood, Patrick Shelby, Philip Carl Becker; thirteen great grandchildren, Cayla Miracle, Justin Williams, Joshua Williams, Savanah Hestmark, Kalea Davis, Gregory Davis, Brittney Davis, Cortney Davis, Steven Lee Davis, Aaron Davis, Hunter Davis, Collin Reid Hagood, Ceana Presley Hagood; one sister, Sharon Floyd; two brothers, Charley “Horace” Kelley, Doug “Wayne” Kelley; six nieces, Wanda (John) Colburn, Debra Little, Evelyn Blackburn, Carissa Hamilton, Kitty Paich, Dawn Colburn; and four nephews, Patrick (Melody) Colburn, Jesse (Bea) Colburn, Bueford (Karen) Colburn, Doug Kelley.

Nell was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, Elwyn L. Davis and John Rocha, one sister, Nadine “Dean” Aycock; one brother, Bueford H. “Bud” Colburn, one step daughter, Penny L. Davis and one step son, Gerald Davis.

Family and friends will gather Saturday, November 7, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. for a Memorial Service in Mason Township Baptist Church, 20109 Mason Street, Cassopolis, Michigan, 49031, with Eugene Hulen, a longtime friend and former co-worker, officiating. Lunch will be provided at the church after the service in celebration of Nell’s life, followed by burial of her remains in Prospect Hill Cemetery in Cassopolis at 2 p.m.

Please share a memory or a message online: wagnercares.com.