Toni Rae Merrill Davis, our loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother joyfully passed away on September 3, 2022 at the age of 77 at her home in South Jordan, Utah, surrounded by her loving family and holding the hand of her beloved husband.
Toni was born in Salt Lake City, Utah to Marriner H. Merrill and Erika B. Merrill on January 1, 1945. She was the 6th child of six. Toni spent her youth full of energy and spunk which started her on the path of developing life long friendships.
Toni married Roger John Davis on December 16th, 1966 in the LDS Salt Lake City Temple. Toni met Roger while attending school at BYU. After they were married they finished their schooling in Provo, Utah. Toni graduated with a degree in Early Childhood Development and spent nearly 30 years as an elementary school teacher. Toni loved to learn and continued her advanced education pursuits until retirement.
Toni and Roger raised 2 children in Sandy, Utah which was her greatest joy. She was often found bragging about her love of her children and grandchildren.
Toni had a love of music and sang with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for 21 years where she traveled the world for her love a music and made a name for herself with her mischievous jokes and pranks. Toni loved to perform and bring joy to others through her signing even outside of the choir.
Toni was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She served in many callings in the church but her greatest joy was her 21 year missionary assignment with the choir.
Toni & Roger served a 3 year mission as Church Employment Specialist while living in their Riverton home.
Toni’s favorite past time was writing poetry for those she loved. She would often be found drafting a poem for a wedding, special occasion or funny moment that she felt needed to be eternalized through a rhyme. She was known to just show up with her newly drafted lyric ready to brighten someone’s day.
Toni loved people and made a point at making sure they knew she loved them. She wanted to talk to everyone and lived life with the assumption that everyone wanted to talk to her. If you came into her life you were never forgotten. She seemed to run into someone she knew everywhere she would go, even on vacation. She would often be stopped by former students that were now grown and she would look into their eyes and remember who they were and express memories and heart felt feelings towards them.
Toni had zest, spunk and a jokester side that she loved to let loose with her friends, choir friends and co-workers. She had a flare for the dramatic and loved a good time.
Toni bravely endured a life of challenges and embraced the motto of “the scriptures always said ‘And it came to pass’, they never say ‘And it came to stay’. She knew that all of this lives hardships would be but a brief moment compared to the eternal happiness that awaited her.
Toni is survived by Roger John Davis (husband), Brandon Davis (son) & wife Vikki Davis, Dani Radcliffe (daughter), 9 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren and extended family and friends.
Toni is proceeded in death by Marriner Merrill (father), Erika Merrill (mother), Darleen Merrihew (sister), Gordon Merrill (brother), Sandra Covey (sister), Lynn Merrill (brother), Lynda Merrill (sister), and dear friends Anne Callister, Beth Elmer and Cherry Hamrick.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 9th at 11:00am at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E. Dimple Dell Rd. (10600 S.), Sandy, Utah. Friends are invited to greet the family prior to services for a viewing from 10:00 to 10:45am. Interment to follow services also at Larkin Sunset Gardens.
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Associate'sBYU
Cindy Lou Poliska
Brother Davis, and wonderful family, we were sorry to learn of Toni'spassing. We send our love and prayers to you. Toni is an amazing woman. I will forever cherish my time with her as my visiting teacher and friend. I am so grateful and blessed by knowing her. Her beautiful voice, candid senses of humor and chuckle, poetry talents, her sweet loving kind nature- always accepting and giving ❤ She is reunited with so many but we will miss her here.
Love, Vince and Yvonne Johnson
Brother Davis, and wonderful family, we were sorry to learn of Toni'spassing. We send our love and prayers to you. Toni is an amazing woman. I will forever cherish my time with her as my visiting teacher and friend. I am so grateful and blessed by knowing her. Her beautiful voice, candid senses of humor and chuckle, poetry talents, her sweet loving kind nature- always accepting and giving ❤ She is reunited with so many but we will miss her here.
Love, Vince and Yvonne Johnson
I'm sorry to here about Tony, I'm truly sorry I didn't make to the viewing and the funeral. If there is anything I can do to help, please give me a call. 801 718 9344
I'm sorry to here about Tony, I'm truly sorry I didn't make to the viewing and the funeral. If there is anything I can do to help, please give me a call. 801 718 9344
I'm sorry to here about Tony, I'm truly sorry I didn't make to the viewing and the funeral. If there is anything I can do to help, please give me a call. 801 718 9344
I'm sorry to here about Tony, I'm truly sorry I didn't make to the viewing and the funeral. If there is anything I can do to help, please give me a call. 801 718 9344
I'm sorry to here about Tony, I'm truly sorry I didn't make to the viewing and the funeral. If there is anything I can do to help, please give me a call. 801 718 9344
My condolences to all the family especially Rodger...A great and precious friend so very precious since my birth...A true friend to my deceased Sister flora who passed on 15 years prior...
My condolences to all the family especially Rodger...A great and precious friend so very precious since my birth...A true friend to my deceased Sister flora who passed on 15 years prior...
Mrs Davis…. You were one of my favorite teachers at Welby Elem! We even went to the movies with Ms Hamrick one summer because I couldn’t get enough of you! ;) I thought about you so often! Please know I will cherish the impression you made on me over 30 years ago! My heart is with your whole family! Much love!!!
Mrs Davis…. You were one of my favorite teachers at Welby Elem! We even went to the movies with Ms Hamrick one summer because I couldn’t get enough of you! ;) I thought about you so often! Please know I will cherish the impression you made on me over 30 years ago! My heart is with your whole family! Much love!!!
Dani and the whole Davis Family- so sorry for this time of separation from your amazing Mom. My thoughts and prayers are wife you.
Dani and the whole Davis Family- so sorry for this time of separation from your amazing Mom. My thoughts and prayers are wife you.
Dani- so sorry for this time of separation from your amazing Mom. My thoughts and prayers are wife you.
Sorry to hear about Toni . Our hearts and love goes out to your family at this time of sorrow .May your thoughts be full of joy and laughter with all the great times that you all shared with her .Carpenter family .
Sorry to hear about Toni . Our hearts and love goes out to your family at this time of sorrow .May your thoughts be full of joy and laughter with all the great times that you all shared with her .Carpenter family .
What a joyful reunion must be taking place as Toni returns home with honor. She shook off her tired sick body and ran into the arms of dear departed friends and family. Toni, I am richer for having known you as my dear friend. Till we meet again.
Annette Elmer
What a joyful reunion must be taking place as Toni returns home with honor. She shook off her tired sick body and ran into the arms of dear departed friends and family. Toni, I am richer for having known you as my dear friend. Till we meet again.
Annette Elmer
We had so many good memories with Toni and Roger. New Year's Eve birthday party was a big hit. The food was always the best. There were caroling parties and white elephant parties. Some of the gifts were seen every year. Pity the poor person who lost one of the favorites. Tab choir trips were full of fun and high jinks. There were also sweet serious times when deep memories were made.
We had so many good memories with Toni and Roger. New Year's Eve birthday party was a big hit. The food was always the best. There were caroling parties and white elephant parties. Some of the gifts were seen every year. Pity the poor person who lost one of the favorites. Tab choir trips were full of fun and high jinks. There were also sweet serious times when deep memories were made.
We had so many good memories with Toni and Roger. New Year's Eve birthday party was a big hit. The food was always the best. There were caroling parties and white elephant parties. Some of the gifts were seen every year. Pity the poor person who lost one of the favorites. Tab choir trips were full of fun and high jinks. There were also sweet serious times when deep memories were made.
We had so many good memories with Toni and Roger. New Year's Eve birthday party was a big hit. The food was always the best. There were caroling parties and white elephant parties. Some of the gifts were seen every year. Pity the poor person who lost one of the favorites. Tab choir trips were full of fun and high jinks. There were also sweet serious times when deep memories were made.
We had so many good memories with Toni and Roger. New Year's Eve birthday party was a big hit. The food was always the best. There were caroling parties and white elephant parties. Some of the gifts were seen every year. Pity the poor person who lost one of the favorites. Tab choir trips were full of fun and high jinks. There were also sweet serious times when deep memories were made.
When I was about 9, my mom and dad (Betty Jo and Duane Davis) went on a trip to Hawaii. Roger and Toni came took care of all of us kids (there were probably 7 of us at the time). They were so kind and made he best tasting food, and kept us all in good spirits, laughing at great stories of funny tricks Toni would play on her fellow choir mates on tour someplace. Toni always gave us big “smooches” and long, heartfelt hugs. We love her so and will miss her!
When I was about 9, my mom and dad (Betty Jo and Duane Davis) went on a trip to Hawaii. Roger and Toni came took care of all of us kids (there were probably 7 of us at the time). They were so kind and made he best tasting food, and kept us all in good spirits, laughing at great stories of funny tricks Toni would play on her fellow choir mates on tour someplace. Toni always gave us big “smooches” and long, heartfelt hugs. We love her so and will miss her!
When I was about 9, my mom and dad (Betty Jo and Duane Davis) went on a trip to Hawaii. Roger and Toni came took care of all of us kids (there were probably 7 of us at the time). They were so kind and made he best tasting food, and kept us all in good spirits, laughing at great stories of funny tricks Toni would play on her fellow choir mates on tour someplace. Toni always gave us big “smooches” and long, heartfelt hugs. We love her so and will miss her!
When I was about 9, my mom and dad (Betty Jo and Duane Davis) went on a trip to Hawaii. Roger and Toni came took care of all of us kids (there were probably 7 of us at the time). They were so kind and made he best tasting food, and kept us all in good spirits, laughing at great stories of funny tricks Toni would play on her fellow choir mates on tour someplace. Toni always gave us big “smooches” and long, heartfelt hugs. We love her so and will miss her!
I was a lifelong friend of Roger and Toni for over 56 years. We shared a lot of the same experiences and places around the world. Of all the classmates I had in high school, Roger and Toni were my closest. We will miss Toni greatly especially her spirit and loving nature. She was a friend to all and always there for everyone. Her dedication to the many years in the Tabernacle Choir were a testament to her devotion to her faith. God bless her as she begins the ultimate adventure with the people she loved most waiting to greet her and welcome her home.
I was a lifelong friend of Roger and Toni for over 56 years. We shared a lot of the same experiences and places around the world. Of all the classmates I had in high school, Roger and Toni were my closest. We will miss Toni greatly especially her spirit and loving nature. She was a friend to all and always there for everyone. Her dedication to the many years in the Tabernacle Choir were a testament to her devotion to her faith. God bless her as she begins the ultimate adventure with the people she loved most waiting to greet her and welcome her home.