Rhoby May (Davison) Coady

June 3, 1912-April 2, 2011

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Rhoby May (Davison) Coady was born to pioneer parents, James and Flora (Goding) Davison at their farm northwest of Dalton, Nebraska near the Morrill county line on June 3, 1912. She was lifted into God's arms on April 2, 2011, in McCook, at the age of 98 years, 10 months.

Rhoby grew up as a farm girl: in Cedaredge, Colorado, where she graduated from eighth grade, and Dalton, where she received her high school diploma in 1929. She received her college diploma from Palmers Business School in Denver, Colorado in 1931.

She was married to Harry L. Bridenstine at his parent's home in Deadwood, South Dakota in May of 1931. He died in 1947 in Balboa, Canal Zone, Panama.

Rhoby worked for the Cheyenne County Department of Roads and the Cheyenne County Commissioners as a Steno Clerk in Sidney, Nebraska. Then in 1941, she moved to McCook, where she was employed by the Nebraska Department of Roads and Irrigations.

On Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24, 1949, she was united in marriage to Willard R. (Bill) Coady at the farm home of her parents in Dalton. They celebrated 51 years of marriage before his passing in 2001.

Rhoby was a loving person, a talented home-maker, dedicated employee, enthusiastic volunteer and a friend to all. Generations sat at her kitchen table eating home-made cookies as she watched her children, grandchildren, great- grandchildren and their friends grow up. Her gentle guidance was seen in her teaching of Sunday school and as a 4-H leader.

She served as a Deacon in the First Congregational Church and worked the election board for Red Willow County. She was a long time member of the Eagles Auxiliary, the Dalton VFW, the BPO Does, and the Nebraska Sub-vets Auxiliary. She volunteered for the Red Cross Bloodmobile for many years.

She and Bill began bowling when Rhoby was in her 60's and she continued to compete on her women's team for nearly 20 years. She traveled extensively on her own and then with Bill after their marriage. She loved the time they spent together at the lake and continued to enjoy all of her friends there after his passing. She took her first Harley Davison ride at 93 and her first jet-ski ride at 95. She was a two time cancer survivor.

Rhoby is survived by one son, James Coady and his wife, Jean; two daughters, Nancy Wilhelm and her husband, Harlow, Susan Doak and her husband, Sid, all of McCook; eight grandchildren, Thomas Wilhelm (Dee), Christopher Wilhelm (Maria), Michael T. Roth (Tracey), Michelle Armstrong (Steve), Matthew Roth (Jess), Kelda Shippy-Doak, Kiel Coady and fiancée, Breah Richmond, Keenan Coady and fiancée, Morgan Sines and Killian Coady and significant other, Andrea Miller; 18 great-grandchildren, Zachary and Kelly Wilhelm, Samantha and Brandon Wilhelm, Hanna and Lyndsey Roth, Jessica and Coady Armstrong, Emme, Landyn, Adrian and Ashleigh Roth, Hayden, Landon, and Dawson Giebler, Konnar and Cadince Coady, Claire Coady and one expected great-grandson, Kalyn Coady, due in May; three sisters-in-law, Winnie Davison, Doris Davison and Erna (Stan) Martin; and numerous nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, John and Ernest Davison; two sisters, Jessie (Al) Bundy and Shirley (Merle) Felker; two grandchildren, Ed (Anne) Wilhelm and Barbara Wilhelm; and two great-grandchildren, Olivia and Nora Roth.

Memorials may be given in her name.

Funeral services are Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., at Carpenter Breland Funeral Home with Mike Roth officiating. Burial is in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Visitation is today from 1-8 p.m.

Friends may sign her book at the funeral home or send condolences online at www.carpenterbreland.com.

Carpenter Breland Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.