Rayma Davis

Rayma (Bekebrock) Davis, 73, former Lamar Democrat newspaper editor and co-owner, died Sept. 17, 2025, at UF Spanish Plaines Hospital, following a short illness.

With her husband, Douglas, Davis operated the Lamar Democrat for almost four decades, with the length of ownership and operation second only to the famed Arthur Aull and daughter Madeleine Aull VanHafften. The Aull family owned and operated the newspaper from 1900 to 1972.

In Lamar, she served as a member and president of numerous community boards, while as a member of the Missouri Press Association, she served as the first female president of the Southwest Missouri Press Association. She and her husband, Doug, were the first husband and wife to serve in this position.

She held a masters in English from Pittsburg State University, and she taught English for 21 years at Webb City High School, as well as at Missouri Southern State University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree, and at The Villages, Fla. High School college English program.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by a sister, two nieces and a cousin, along with many southwest Missouri friends from in and around Barton County.