Marilyn "Sissie" K. Davis

June 21, 1937 - February 11, 2021

Marilyn Kirkland Davis “Sissie” June 21, 1937 – February 11, 2021. A lifelong resident of Lake County from pioneer families who settled this area of Central Florida before Florida was even a state, passed away with her family by her side. She was one of four children born to Martin and Myrtle Kirkland and grandparents Jess & Lillie Getford, who came to Eustis in the late 1800’s. She raised 2 children: Denise “Dee Dee” Branham and Tamela “Tammie” Parnell. Sissie was a lifelong member of Lake Eustis Christian Church where she served as a Sunday School Teacher, Bookkeeper, and many other roles. She is a 1955 graduate of Eustis High School where she was a cheerleader, a member of the E Club, Glee Club, Thespian Society, Panther Annual Staff, FHA, Quill and Scroll, Who’s Who, voted Most Popular, Class Secretary, and Class Treasurer. She was a four-year basketball letterman and played on the 1955 Girls State Championship Team. Sissie was a 1954 Lake County Poinsettia Debutante and she was a Rainbow Girl of the Order of the Eastern Star. She attended the University of Florida where she pledged AOPi sorority. She was an avid Gator fan. She worked at the First National Bank until her first daughter was born. Sissie spent numerous hours volunteering for her community through The Eustis Service League and was a member of Pine Meadows Country Club and Adventures Unlimited. She volunteered for the State of Florida Girl Scout Council and helped start Girl Scout Troop 288. Sissie lived life to the fullest, always giving her best and expecting the best. She traveled all over the world, was active in many bridge clubs and travel groups, and supported the community theater groups in Lake County. Sissie was an avid reader, and loved camping, hiking to waterfalls, hunting, playing bridge, trying new and different things, going out to eat, traveling, going to the beach, and spending time with her family and friends. Sissie is survived by her daughters Denise “Dee Dee” Branham (Jeff) of Columbus, GA, and Tamela “Tammie” Parnell (Tad) of Dallas, TX; sister Janelle Kirkland Hicks (Bob) of Woodstock, GA; grandchildren Ashley Branham (Kim) of Columbus, GA, and Emily Parnell and Blake Parnell of Dallas, TX; nieces Jenna Hicks (Betsy) of Milton, GA and Robyn Hicks of Woodstock, GA; and great-nephew Tanner Hicks of Milton, GA. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Eustis Memorial Library (eustismemoriallibrary.org/about-us/support-the-library/, Girl Scout Troop 9295, 704 Jewell St., Fruitland Park, FL 34731. There will be a graveside service on Tuesday, February 16th, 2021 at 10:00 AM at Greenwood Cemetery. The family has requested those attending please adhere to CDC guidelines by wearing masks and practicing social distancing.