BJ McDavid, 93, died August 22 at her home in Grayson. Born on February 19, 1931, in Beetle, Kentucky to parents Opal and Ada Bryant Fultz, Bertha Jane arrived with red hair and a fiery, yet fun, disposition to match. BJ’s gracious and friendly manner combined with a wicked sense of humor, made her a charming friend who delighted in finding little ways to bring joy to people. She was most happy in seeing them laugh and happily pulled many a person onto the dance floor to truly enjoy a great tune. Fiercely independent and rarely idle, she was in near constant motion whether in her garden, her home or at work. She adored jobs that brought her close to people, enjoying time working at the Carter Caves Gift Shop, the jewelry counter at Maloney’s and as office supervisor at East Carter County Memory Gardens. During the coal boom years of the 1970s, she ran her own coal trucking company, coordinating the drivers and the hauls.
She solidly believed that the secret to tackling life was to get up every morning, have a cup of coffee and get yourself ready to face the day. For BJ, that meant perfect hair, makeup and a colorful ensemble so she was set for whatever was going to happen. She was then ready to shop, visit friends and direct the lives of the four generations of her family, whom she dearly loved. BJ was a faithful member of the Bayless Memorial Presbyterian Church. In addition to her parents, BJ was preceded in death by her husband, Gene McDavid, her son Steven Michael McDavid, her sister Lois Vivian McDavid, two brothers, Raymond Fultz and John Fultz and son-in-law Donald P. Malone. She is remembered with love and delight by her daughter Rita Malone, Grayson; her stepson Steve “Jude” (Christy) Stafford, Lake City, Fla., by her grandchildren Donald (Jill York) Malone, Grayson; Avery Anna (Jason Milstead) Malone, Zebulon, NC; Ashley McDavid Brown, Covington, Ky.; William (Lynn) McDavid, Knoxville, Tenn.; and Gavin Malone, Grayson. She is forever cherished by great-grandchildren Luis (Alison) Martinez, Aedan Milstead, Breck Brown, Zara Brown, Jacob McDavid and Gabriel McDavid and by her great-great-grandchildren Emma, Eli and Ella Martinez. Funeral services will be 2 pm Sunday, August 25, 2024 at the Bayless Memorial Presbyterian Church with Pastor Josh Akers officiating. Burial will follow in the East Carter County Memory Gardens. Visitation will be 6-8 pm Saturday at the Malone Funeral Home in Grayson and after 1 pm Sunday at the church until the service hour. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.malonefuneralhome.comServing as BJ’s pallbearers will be Donald Cooke, Blake Cooke, Luis Martinez, Norman Shaffer, Hubert Johnson and John Jordan. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to; Bayless Memorial Presbyterian Church, 108 E 2nd St., Grayson, KY 41143.
