A Celebration of Life will be held April 14 at Clover Hall on the Greene County Fairgrounds in Jefferson for Joyce Ellen Godwin Davis, 72, of Jamaica.
Words of comfort will be offered by Pastor Tom Hinote of The Sanctuary in Jefferson. Her interment will be private.
Joyce Ellen Godwin was born February 8, 1949, at Jefferson. She was the daughter of Gloria Jean Fister Godwin and Edward James Godwin. Joyce attended school at Paton-Churdan Public Schools.
Her early life included working at a variety of jobs. Through the years she worked at Franklin Manufacturing, McAtee Tire and the Jefferson Manor. She enjoyed tending bar at many locations around town.
Joyce married Eddie Davis on Dec. 14, 1998. They farmed near Jamaica in Greene County. Joyce was an excellent cook. For many years she fed farm hands and took meals to the field. She was an avid gardener and canned a lot of the garden produce. Joyce enjoyed harvesting apples from her orchard. It was one of her favorite, seasonal times of the year. Joyce had a specialty for making horseradish, and her family said it was the best!
Joyce was a member of the Jefferson Does. She made many salads and pies for their fundraising events. Joyce was very good at bowling and playing darts. She participated in many tournaments and won many awards. She played pinochle and other card games. In later years, Joyce enjoyed the casino and often took apple or peach crisp to the casino employees.
Joyce Davis died April 5, 2021, at home surrounded by family. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers James Godwin and Joe Godwin; and her husband Eddie Davis.
Survivors include her children Tammy Tolsdorf, Lyle Jesse (Ashley) Lorentzen Jr, Birton (Mae) Davis, and Travis (Morgan) Davis; grandchildren Jason Smits and Jesse Crawford; great-grandchildren Rose, Lillian, DeAmerica, Christian, and Adrianna; sisters Jessie Custer, Jacqui Mentzer, Janneta (Roger) Miller, and Jeannie (Randy) Liggett; brother Jeff (Jewel) Godwin; stepchildren Rochelle Schaffer and Bill Davis; sister-in-law, Jane Godwin; and other relatives and friends.
The family is assisted by Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home of Jefferson.
