Davis General Store of Clifton

Here follows an excerpt from the Spring 2014 edition of the "Franconia Legacies" newsletter published by the Franconia Museum:

The Journey of Shirley Lee Dove Davis
by Andrea Shimer

Shirley was born on November 17, 1931 to Everett L. and Maude E. Dove. She grew up in the Rose Hill area of Fairfax County near her grandparents’ dairy, Golden Hill Dairy (Wilton Woods Administrative Center).

She graduated from Mount Vernon High School and went to work as a secretary at the Pentagon. She met her husband, Leighton Davis, at the Alexandria Country Market, and they flirted by throwing string beans at each other. They were married on June 3, 1950 and moved to a remote area of Fairfax County, VA, also known as Makley’s Corner near Clifton. They built a house at the intersection of Wolf Run Shoals Road and Clifton Road in 1951 and that is where she resided until her death.

They purchased a country store at Makley’s Corner in 1957 and became the owners/operators for the next 20 years of the infamous “Davis General Store” which still bears their name. Since retiring from the Store, she filled her time with traveling — visiting all 50 states, Canada, Nova Scotia, and Mexico. She loved to drive. She drove the Alaska Highway. Other interests included but were not limited to sewing; grandkids; gardening; quilting; Church work; crafts; FRIENDS & FAMILY (She was the caregiver for many of her Aunts & Uncles.); collecting (dolls, stamps, coins, anything old, etc.).

The couple had two daughters: Andrea Shimer and Linda Davis. They had three grandchildren: Tabitha (Ben) Hoskins, Nicholas (Ashley) and Leslie Shimer and three great-grandchildren: Hope, Hannah, and Caleb Hoskins. She was predeceased by her parents, her infant brother, Leighton, her husband of 40 years; and her son-in-law, William Shimer, III. Addition: Shirley Dove Davis grew up in Franconia and was a Founding Member of the Franconia Museum. Her obituary in the Washington Post cited her role in helping get the Museum started and the fact that she participated in numerous programs and activities at the Museum. Although she grew up in the house next to Mark Twain Middle School, she attended Groveton Elementary rather than Franconia because her neighbor drove a school bus to Groveton and Shirley rode along. She was active at the historic Sharon Chapel and was one of the members of the large Dove clan in Franconia. Her cousin, Carol Dove Hakenson, serves on the current Museum Board of Directors.