Roxane Davis

Roxane Davis, 65, of Des Moines, Iowa passed away on Friday June 20, with the same quiet strength and dignity that defined her life. She was born with a wild heart and a gift for turning the ordinary into something extraordinary, Roxane lived life on her own terms—boldly, fiercely, and full of love. 

She was a lover of wide-open skies and quiet waters, happiest with a fishing pole in one hand, dirt under her fingernails, or a horse brushing past her shoulder. She found peace in nature, and power in her independence. Roxane didn’t wait for permission or applause—she simply did. Whether it was raising three strong daughters, building a business from the ground up, or restoring the soul of a classic car, she met every challenge with grit, grace, and unmatched determination. 

As the owner of her own upholstery business for most of her life, Roxane's work spoke volumes—elegant stitches, custom contours, and creative finishes that turned cars into rolling works of art. Her talents earned her a place among legends: she completed custom interiors for Good Guys showpieces, a car featured in a Batman film, and a handful of vehicles in The Bridges of Madison County movie. Yet she remained grounded, humble, and more interested in her next project than her past accolades.

She was the center of her family—steady, strong, and full of warmth. Roxane is survived by her beloved daughters Missy (Chad) Cox, Amanda Youngren (Russell Armstrong), and Allison Montes, all of Des Moines, who carry forward her tenacity and big heart spirit. Her legacy continues through five cherished grandchildren, her loving mother MaryElla Davis of Altoona, her sister Debbie (Jeff) Nichols, her brother George (Wanoeka) Davis, and a wide circle of nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends—many of whom she loved like her own. 

She was preceded in death by her father, Thomas Davis, who no doubt welcomed her home with open arms and a proud smile.

Roxane will be remembered not just for what she did, but for how she lived—with courage, creativity, and compassion resilience / independence / conviction / authenticity. Whether you knew her as a mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, artist, friend, or fishing partner, you knew you were in the presence of someone unforgettable. 

To honor Roxane’s life please plant something that grows wild, fix something that’s broken or tell someone you love them and mean it. 

A celebration of life for Roxane Davis will be held at 3766 NE 58th Ave., Berwick, Iowa, on July 13, 2025, from 12-3pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to share a memory, cast a line or look up to wide open sky, and consider donating to Allison Montes for end-of-life expenses.