Former regent Margaret Estes Davis Sept 19 2014

Sept. 19, 2014

Dear Colleagues,

It is with great sadness that I inform you that Margaret Estes Davis, who served as a member of the TWU Board of Regents for 12 years, and as the Board’s Chair from 1983 to 1986, passed away in Dallas on Wednesday, September 17 from complications due to pneumonia. She was 96.

Mrs. Davis and her husband Gus were longtime supporters of the university. Perhaps the most visible result of their financial generosity is the graceful three-tiered fountain that stands in front of the Blagg-Huey Library, which is considered a hallmark of beauty on the Denton campus. Mr. and Mrs. Davis also were recipients of the TWU Founders’ Award in 2002 in recognition of their contributions to the university.

Mrs. Davis served on the TWU Board of Regents from 1974 to 1987. She was known as one of the university’s best champions, which included being a strong advocate for the university’s relevance and mission with the Texas Legislature during her tenure. In 1986, she was named Outstanding Regent by the Federation of North Texas Area Universities. 

Mrs. Davis was named publisher of the Longview Newspapers, Inc., when her first husband, Carl Estes, died in 1967. Under Mrs. Davis’ guidance, the two Longview newspapers, The Longview Daily News and Longview Morning Journal, were among the most modern operations in Texas. She married Gus Davis in 1979, and in their later years they moved to Irving to be closer to TWU and Mrs. Davis’ beloved Texas Rangers. She considered herself one of the team’s biggest fans.

Carine M. Feyten, Ph.D.
Chancellor/President
Texas Woman’s University