Fa'atamali'i "Li'i / Lia" Heka Davis
January 15, 1974 – October 15, 2026
Fa'atamali'i "Li'i / Lia" Heka Davis passed on to peaceful rest after a life defined by extraordinary devotion to her family, a deeply artistic soul, and a boundless generosity that touched everyone who knew her.
Born in American Samoa, Lia moved with her parents to the United States and was raised alongside five of her siblings. Her childhood was spent in San Francisco, California, before her family relocated to The Dalles, Oregon, during her later adolescent years. It was there that she graduated from The Dalles High School (TDHS) before going on to attend Walla Walla University.
Later, after returning home to The Dalles, Lia met the love of her life, Jeffrey Davis. Their journey together took them to Arizona, where Lia proudly embraced the role of bonus mother to Jeffrey's daughter, Paiton Davis Tunstall. Lia poured many years of love and devotion into raising Paiton, caring for and loving her deeply as her own. In 1999, Lia and Jeff were married and soon welcomed their only son, Ryan. They later expanded their family circle as bonus parents to her niece and namesake, Malii Kaelah.
Lia absolutely adored being a mother. Blessed with a naturally nurturing spirit, she extended her maternal warmth to her many nieces and nephews over the years, constantly offering encouragement and love, even from a distance. While residing in Arizona, she dedicated many years to public service, working for the Arizona Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Following the heartbreaking passing of her beloved husband, Jeffrey, she chose to step down from her career and focused on her children and extended family at home.
An old soul with an extraordinarily generous heart, Lia strived to uplift everyone around her. Her deep devotion to her parents was beautifully expressed when she generously had a home built for them in their native homeland overseas. Lia took immense pride in her Samoan culture, its rich history, music, and exotic cuisine, and loved sharing her heritage with others at every opportunity.
Lia was a remarkably talented artist from a young age. As a young student, she won a drawing contest to design a new school mascot. Throughout her life, she channeled this passion into drawing, painting, and crafting—most notably through traditional lei making, which she lovingly created to bless family and friends during their graduation milestones.
An open and compassionate host, Lia welcomed loved ones and friends into her home during the holidays, sharing love, laughter, traditional meals, and homemade baked goods. When relaxing, she could often be found painting, crafting, immersed in a good book, enjoying a period-piece drama, listening and singing to her favorite music, studying her family's genealogy, or rooting on her favorite football team, the San Francisco 49ers.
At her core, Lia was a spiritual individual, drawing even nearer to her Heavenly Father before her final rest. She aimed to share her faith through loving others. She held a lifelong special affection for her childhood Samoan Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) church family.
As she rests in the arms of her Heavenly Father, her absence will eternally leave a void in our hearts. Our beloved Fa'atamali'i will be forever remembered for her creative soul, beautiful smile, quick-witted humor, and the boundless generosity she extended to all who were privileged to know her.
She is survived by her son, Jeffrey Ryan; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Heka; her siblings, Miliama, Siniua, Sinae, and Sepela; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family whom she loved dearly.
Lia was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jeffrey; her brother, Sam; her sister, Litia; and her grandmother, Valelia.
Service Information
Memorial Service: Monday, November 9, 2026, at 10:00 AM
Location: Spencer, Libby & Powell Funeral Home, 1100 Kelly Ave, The Dalles, Oregon
