Annie Ruth Wise

Annie Wise, 79, of Davenport, passed away, Sunday, February 22, 2026 at her home.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home. The family will greet friends from 1:00 pm until the time of service at the funeral home.

Ms. Annie Ruth “Minnie Pearl” Wise was born on December 31, 1946, in Sheffield, Alabama to the late Nadine Smith-Montgomery and the late James Morris. She confessed Christ as her Saviour at a young age and joined Cave Spring Missionary Baptist Church of Tuscumbia, Alabama. She relocated her family to Davenport, Iowa in 1967. Once there, she went on to acquire a certificate in Administrative Office Support from Scott Community College. She later became a certified Heavy Equipment Operator while employed at J.I. Case (as the first Black woman in Iowa to do so) where she worked for many years until she was injured.

Ann loved herself some Ann! She was always sharp, well put together and a diva in her own right. She enjoyed playing bingo, watching tennis, the Green Bay Packers, and the Los Angeles Lakers because she loved Kobe Bryant. She also loved shopping and spending time with her family. She also had a fondness for some pets in her life, her dog Bandit and her bird O’Jay who have passed. She has two “grand dogs” Isis and Khadafi that she also loved dearly and are mourning her loss.

Annie was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents, a sister Mary H. Fuqua, brothers Johnnie and Ray Montgomery, and a great grandson Janias Cline.

Annie leaves to cherish many fond memories, a devoted daughter, caregiver, and best friend Felicia Faye Smith of Davenport, IA, sons Jerrie Bernard (Dawna) Smith of Springhill, KS, Robert Darnell Wise and Jeriel Wise both of Davenport, IA. Step- children, Sesame Teague and Garry Teague, Jr of Shreveport, LA. Brothers Donnie Montgomery of Ypsilanti, MI, Darryl Montgomery of Houston, TX, Gary Montgomery, Ricky Montgomery, and Charles Montgomery all of Sheffield, AL. Brother-in-law, Leo Fuqua of Sheffield, AL. Aunts Annie Smith, Bethenia Smith, and Bessie Smith all of Muscle Shoals, Alabama. She had ten grandchildren, thirty-two great grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren. She also had a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. A special friend James Barnes of Davenport, IA. A special thank you to Jimmy and Amy Holt for all you did for her. Her team of doctors and nurses, especially to nurse Nicole Moore. A “bonus daughter” Karmen Woods and close friends Heather Llewellyn, Lenny Conner, and Shane Searcy.