Dava “Tinker” Cardwell, 74, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, December 14, 2025. Dava was born June 14, 1951, in Greensboro, North Carolina. She was a graduate of Grimsley High School class of 1969. She grew up in Greensboro but had big city dreams and moved to Charlotte in her twenties. Shortly thereafter her career took her to northern Virginia where she was a top performing real estate agent. Dava later moved to El Paso, Tx and Albuquerque, NM where she opened two antique stores and shared her love of antiques with the community there. Dava was an avid animal lover and loved riding horses in her youth. She found a love for breeding labradoodles in her later years. She loved all her animals with her whole heart. Dava stayed busy in retirement, often attending dinner and a show at the Alhambra theatre, her favorite show being the tribute to Patsy Cline. She was a Pittsburgh Steelers fan and often reminisced about the Blonde Bomber Terry Bradshaw. She loved being at the beach, spending many summers in Virginia Beach and the Bahamas, and eventually retired in Jacksonville, Fl.

She is preceded in death by her mother Georgia Proctor, her father Merlin Tumbleson, stepfather Crawford Proctor and her siblings Marsha Tumbleson, Glen “Buster” Tumbleson, and Patricia Jefferson.

Dava is survived by son Taylor Davis and his wife Mary Davis, brothers Teddy Proctor (wife Mimi Proctor) and Scott Proctor (wife Marian Proctor), her dogs Dmitri and Cinderella, and her beloved Granddoodles that brought incredible love and joy to so many families.

Dava’s family and friends will gather and celebrate her life in Jacksonville, Fl over President’s Day Weekend.

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