President Lauds Mother-in-Law at Memorial Service in Phoenix

President Reagan on Saturday eulogized his mother-in-law, Edith Luckett Davis, as one who “gave wit and charm and kindliness throughout all her life.”

Speaking at a memorial service, the President recalled getting acquainted with Mrs. Davis when he was courting his wife, Nancy, in Hollywood, where they were both acting in movies.

“I have never been able to tell a mother-in-law story or joke since,” Reagan said.

In what he called a paraphrasing of Winston Churchill, the President said: “Meeting her was like opening a bottle of Champagne.”

The President addressed about 220 mourners at St. Thomas the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, which Mrs. Davis and her husband, the late Dr. Loyal Davis, attended at times, although they were Presbyterians.

The First Lady’s mother suffered a stroke and died in her sleep on Monday at the age of 91.

The service included a reading of the 23rd Psalm, Mrs. Davis’ favorite. A soloist sang “The Lord’s Prayer” and the Phoenix Boys Choir sang hymns.

As an actress, Mrs. Davis performed on stage and radio with George M. Cohan, Spencer Tracy, Walter Huston, ZaSu Pitts and others.

The Reagans flew to Phoenix on Tuesday to make funeral arrangements, but the President returned to Washington for several days. They planned to return to Washington together today. Their son, Ron, and his wife, Doria, attended the service, as well as the President’s older son, Michael, daughter, Maureen, and her husband, Dennis Revell.

Patti Davis, 35, an actress who uses her mother’s family name, sent word that she would not be able to change her travel plans and attend the service, Elaine Crispen, the First Lady’s press secretary, said.