HAMRICK, Narecia "Katie" Davis, PhD

Age 83, born in Dallas, TX on December 6,1940 and passed away on April 7, 2024, surrounded by her family. The youngest child of V.O. and Cora Davis, she graduated from Lancaster High School in 1957. She received her AA from El Centro College in 1968, her BS from Southern Methodist University in 1972, and her MS and Ph.D. in psychology from North Texas University. She graduated with her Ph.D. magna cum laude in 1978. Following graduation, she did her internship at Wake Forest University. Her first job as a psychologist was at University of Texas at Dallas as a Senior Staff Psychologist in their Counseling Center. She practiced for over 35 years teaching, counseling and in private practice.

While she was born in Dallas, Katie was raised in Lancaster, TX on the family homestead. She developed her love of animals at a very young age but was especially fond of cats. As a child in Lancaster, she enjoyed playing with dolls and paper dolls, reading, roller skating, and going to movies every Saturday night. As a teen she enjoyed sunbathing and cruising in cars (between the Lancaster Square and the Dairy Queen). Throughout life enjoyed the outdoors, gardening, fishing, walking, riding bikes, exercising, playing, and just about any outdoor activity. Loved the rural country life and her older brother, Mac Owens Davis, was always there to guide and protect her.

She met her first husband at the Dallas Farmer's Market and was married to Maxie Don Hamrick, from July 6, 1957-March 25, 1969. They had two children, Gregory Alan Hamrick born in 1960 and Michael Douglas Hamrick in 1963.

She married William (Bill) Powers in 1984, and while their marriage was not extremely long, it was adventurous. They travelled together extensively; most times without a plan or destination just seeing where life would take them. They once packed a suitcase, drove out to DFW airport, and picked their destination after arriving at the airport.

She met her longtime companion, Kasey Stepp, in 2002 at the Greenville Bar and Grill. Together they enjoyed hosting Christmas dinners and other family get togethers. They also enjoyed live music and went to numerous concerts together.

One of her first concerts was at the Cotton Bowl in 1956 to see Elvis Presley with her best friend, Carolyn Hooker Lowrey. Some people have described Katie as progressive, liberal, and fashionable.

She loved to travel, many times going by herself and off the beaten path. Never one to shy away from an adventure, she would seek out risky but fun activities while on vacation. France and Greece were two destinations she spoke fondly of.

As much as she was proud to be a born and raised Texan, her second home was her condo in Makaha, Hawaii, which she owned for 25 years. Katie would travel out there as often as she could to spend weeks or months at a time. Throughout her lifetime, she made over 30 trips to Hawaii. She would generously offer her Hawaiian condo to friends and family, and she loved to host or introduce anyone to all that Hawaii has to offer by playing tour guide in many instances.

She sacrificed to make sure her children had what they needed or wanted. For example, she bought each of them a new car when they went away to college even though the debt was a burden.

She loved going to parties and hosting parties. St. Patrick's Day was her favorite holiday. She loved live music and spoke fondly of spending time at the NFL (Nick Farley Lounge) to listen to Irish music. Katie always said that she was part Irish! She enjoyed the North Texas Irish Festival every March. Now in its 42nd year, she told family that she was at the very 1st one. After several years, Katie started volunteering at the festival.

Katie was wicked smart (finishing high school a year early), a gifted hypnotist, an ordained minister, and a published author. She was a fearless and driven woman who believed in the value of higher education. She was a lifelong learner, always soaking up any new information. She was a teacher as well, always willing to help others and share her knowledge. She was also a very strong and independent woman who successfully raised two boys, much of the time as a single parent.

When she became unable to travel, Katie enjoyed having company and talking on the phone with friends and family. She professed her love for friends and family, but it was her actions that drove home the fact that it was true.

Katie is survived by her longtime companion, Kasey Stepp; sons, Greg (Trinh) Hamrick and Mike (Kathleen) Hamrick; granddaughters, Brittany (Jason) Mazur and Heather (Cris) Costa; grandson, Victor Hoang; great grandsons, Parker Mazur and Cole Mazur; her brother, Mac Davis; her niece, Kim (Wayne) Carey; nephews, Kevin (Paige) Davis and Bruce (Kiki) Davis. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her sister-in-law, Rosemary Davis.

A celebration of Katie's life will be at 11:00am on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at Byrum Funeral Home Chapel in Lancaster, TX with inurnment immediately following in Red Oak Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the SPCA.