Benicia resident Ruth Davis will turn 100 on Tuesday, May 9. (Photo courtesy of Carol Belisle)

By William Belisle
Special to the Herald

One century, 10 decades, 100 years; however you choose to say it, the lovely and kind Ruth Davis celebrates her 100th birthday on May 9.
Davis was born in Bureau, Ill. in 1917 to Mollie and William Gorrell, and went on to graduate from LaSalle-Peru High School LaSalle, Ill. in 1935. She moved to California in 1938 and lived for a short period in Sacramento before settling in Berkeley.
Employed as a telephone operator for 10 years by Pacific Telephone and Telegraph, Ruth met her husband, Edward Davis, in 1941 during a USO dance at the Berkeley Elks Club. They were wed in 1943 and constructed a house in Lafayette in 1954 where they raised their family of three children: Son Edward Allan and twin daughters Carol Belisle and Patricia Davis. Edward currently lives with his wife Sandra in Lake Havasu, Ariz., Carol lives in Benicia with her husband William, and Patricia also lives in Benicia.
Ruth has two grandchildren: Holly Lindley, who lives with her husband Matt in Redwood City; and Benjamin Mountain of Massachusetts, who attends college in New York. She also has two great-grandchildren: 4-year-old Amelia and 4-month-old Eloise.
Ruth keeps active by playing Scrabble, solving word puzzles, going birdwatching, reading and watching “Dancing with the Stars.” She enjoys spending time with her family, going to lunch, shopping and playing Bingo at the Benicia Senior Center with her good friend Irene. Family says she attributes her longevity to coffee and sweets.
A celebration of Ruth’s 100 years will take place this Saturday.

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