/fit-in/200x300/filters:fill(white)/prod/524/301681/mmn8koftambjy4lc9ohi.jpg)
Obituary For Joyce M. Davis
On April 10 th , 1950, Joyce McMahan Davis was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina to the late Charlie McMahan Jr. and Linnie V. Kelly McMahan, who preceded her in death. Joyce loved people and will always be remembered as a staple throughout South Carolina and her local community for her dedication to educating the youth of the state, her commitment to the church she loved so much (New Prospect A.M.E. Zion Church), the sacrifices she made throughout her life for friends and family and most importantly, her love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Living a life of service, she held numerous positions professionally and within the church body of her local church as well as at the district and state level. Joyce’s life was a living testimony to who she was, a devoted Christian, a servant, a leader, an educator, a loyal daughter, sibling, wife, mother and friend.
Joyce was educated at Cumming Street Elementary and Junior High grades 1-9 and Carver Senior High grades 10-12, graduating in 1968. She attended Tuskegee University from 1968-1972, graduating with a degree in Elementary Education. She then received a Masters of Education, Elementary Education, Ed. Specialist from Converse College in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Joyce also attended Nova Southeastern University’s Doctor of Education Program with a focus on Educational Leadership/Administration (incomplete by 6 hours).
Joyce’s diverse career impacted thousands of lives through the variety of roles she held. She taught 3 rd grade at Craig Air Force Base Elementary in Selma, Alabama, 4 th grade at St. Joseph Catholic School, Tuskegee, Alabama, 4 th and 5 th grades at Cowpens Elementary School, Cowpens, South Carolina, 4 th , 6 th , and 1 st grades at Mary H. Wright Elementary School in Spartanburg, South Carolina. That being a full career in itself, she then progressed her career by serving as Assistant Principal at Sims Junior High in Union, South Carolina, Assistant Principal at Foster Park Elementary in Union, South Carolina, Assistant Principal at Whitlock Junior High in Spartanburg, South Carolina, Assistant Principal at Cleveland Elementary, Spartanburg, South Carolina. With all those accomplishments she chose to take her career to the next level. She then went on to serve as the Principal at Foster Park Elementary, Union, South Carolina, Director of K-8 Instruction, Dorchester School District 4, St. George, South Carolina, Associate Superintendent for Elementary Education, Fairfield County School System, Winnsboro, South Carolina, Fairfield County School System, and finally she served as Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Instruction, Colleton County School District, Walterboro, South Carolina, before retiring from the state in June 2003. After a very brief period of retirement, she decided that retirement was not for her and went to work as an Instructional Assessor for the Greenville County School System. She then served as the State Liaison for the State Department of Education before finally serving as the Z.L. Madden Center Director at Piedmont Community Actions, Spartanburg, South Carolina, from 2009-2020.
As previously mentioned, Joyce held many roles locally with the A.M.E. Zion church including, but not limited to, Sunday School Teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, Deaconess, member of the Sanctuary Choir, Local President of the Parent Body of Women’s Health and Overseas Missionary Society as well as a Lay Council Member. At the district level she served as CED Director of Christian Education, District Lay Council as well as the District Women’s Home Overseas Missionary Society.
Joyce was married to Charles A. Davis, Sr., and had three children, Sonya, Charles II (Asmirh), and Jarvis (Adriane).
She leaves behind one sister, Sandra Floyd, and one brother, Donnie McMahan. She also leaves behind five grandchildren, Jaylin, Aubrey, Jarvia, Sterling and Charles III.
She was preceded in death by: her sisters, Marilyn Oglesby and Charlene E. Young.
Joyce was a doer, not a talker, she embraced authentic relationships and loved spending time with loved ones. She will forever be remembered and will surely be missed.
Service will be held on Saturday, August 27, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Lincoln Memorial Gardens, 2256 Cannons Campground Rd., Spartanburg, SC.
Omega Omega Rites will be held on Friday, August 26, 2022 at 4:30 p.m. at The John Stinson Woodward Funeral Home.
Photos & Video
Condolences & Tributes
Add A Condolence
Peace Lily was sent for Joyce M. Davis - August 26, 2022
Peace Lily was sent for Joyce M. Davis - August 26, 2022
The Natural Flower Arrangement was sent for Joyce M. Davis - August 25, 2022
Care and Compassion Spray was sent for Joyce M. Davis - August 25, 2022
The Peace Lily was sent for Joyce M. Davis - August 25, 2022
5 Trees were planted in memory of Joyce M. Davis - August 25, 2022
On behalf of the students, faculty and staff of Converse University, we wish you peace and comfort. Please accept our condolences and heartfelt sympathies. Sincerely, Jessica Eggimann, Director of Alumni Relations
My deepest and sincerest condolences go out to the Davis and McMahan families. I grew up with Joyce in my life. As residents of Branyon Heights, Joyce was the sister of my best friend. She was an inspiration and motivation to us. In fact our professional lives paralleled closely. We were also both members of a great sorority. Joyce was a go getter and had unparalleled energy and conviction to accomplish a goal. She was also very compassionate. I appreciate knowing her and she will be dearly missed. I'm sure she heard, "well done" faithful servant! Rest in paradise. Mary Layton Wright, Frederick Maryland
My deepest and sincerest sympathy goes out to the Davis and McMahan family in the passing of Joyce. I grew up with Joyce in my life re as a resident of Branyon Heights. Though she was a bit older than I, she was always an inspiration and motivation to me and her sister, my best friend. In fact, our professional lives closely paralleled. We were even members of the same great sorority. Joyce was always a go getter and displayed confidence and conviction to accomplishing her goals. Yet, she was also compassionate. I admired that. She will be dearly missed. Rest in paradise dear Joyce. Mary Layton Wright
Sending condolences to Sonya, Sterling, and the rest of the Davis family. Praying for strength in the upcoming days, weeks, and months ahead. Love always, Tameka Evans Watson
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Davis family. May God grant you peace, strength and comfort during this time. We love you and are continually praying for you. Charles&LaShonda Richardson
My sincere condolences to the family! Joyce was a very dedicated and devoted educator and leader! May God give you strength, peace and comfort during this difficult time! Edwenia Gaffney Spartanburg SC
Our condolences to you and your family on the loss of your mom. May she rest in eternal peace with the Lord. Daniel and Philippe Thernize.
Our condolences to you and your family on the loss of your mom. May she rest in eternal peace with the Lord.
We extend our deepest condolences to The Davis Family. May the memories of your mom, wife, and grandmother be of comfort in days to come. We will continue to keep you in prayer and ask God to heal your hearts during such a difficult time.
Robay Nikki Stroble & Family
May Gods Comforting Spirit be with the Davis Family as we celebrate a life and legacy of educational excellence. (Isaiah 25:8)
May Gods Comforting Spirit be with the Davis Family as we celebrate a life and legacy of educational excellence. (Isaiah 25:8)
I remember Joyce as a true Carver High School Tiger. My prayers go out to Charles and the family. Rest In Peace. Lunette Petty Spann. Columbia SC.
Prayers and condolences to the Davis and McMahon family.I've known Joyce since Cummings Street School, she was a very person. May she rest in peace. The Woodruff, Vernon and Austin family.
To Sonya and the entire family: My condolences, thoughts prayers and love are with you during this difficult season of your life. Continue to trust God for He alone will provide the strength you need. Know that I love you. Saundra Giles Gaffney
Thinking of you and your family and asking God to surround you all with his perfect peace and love. Love your Soror/Sister Makisha Fowler
Davis family, our deepest condolences for your loss. Joyce will definitely be missed. I've known her all my life and 100% agree that she was a force in her lifetime. I'm blessed to have been her neighbor and very grateful I got to spend time with her this year in March. I call in peace and rest to the surviving family members as you all represent well her legacy!
Love, Steven Ray and family!
Our deepest condolences for the Davis family. I remember Joyce being very faithful, dedicated, intentional, purposeful, and operating in excellence and dignity while serving in church under my Dad's pastorate!! You fought a good fight!! Rest In Peace. For the family - I pray for your comfort and peace now and in the days ahead!! With Love, thoughts and prayers. Rev. German and Mrs. Sandra Watt Wright. Columbia, SC.
You have our deepest sympathy, Charles. I've known Joyce since high school and we were at Tuskegee at the same time. Rest on, my Sister! The Thacker Family
Prayers and condolences to the Davis family. No words can tell you how i feel, but know that I love you all and will continue to pray for God to to give you comfort in this time. She is in no pain, can breath easily, and God has her right where He wants her!
I grew up with the Davis children, and of course Joyce treated me like one of her own. I always called her mom. She was and continues to be someone who filled me with love, motivation, and wisdom. Money can't buy what I learned talking to and observing her interact with family, friends, and strangers. An amazing mother, wife, and friend.
One of my favotite memories is when i attended a "Men's Day" at church with her family. I went to laugh at Charles, Chareles II and Jarvis singing in the choir. Of course if Sonya would have been singing the story would be the same. Mama did not say a word, but had tears in her eyes and that big smile she always had. That is a memory i will never forget. God and her family is what she loved and lived for.
Charles"Pops", CharlesII, Jarvis, Sonya, and family you were blessed to have here in your life. Continue her legacy by showing others the love she showed everyone, and this world will be a better place!
Some how, some way God will get glory through this. God bless you all!
Chris Cochran and family
My deepest condolences to the Davis family.
Our deepest condolences to Charles and the rest of the family, may God comfort you all in this time of bereavement, we know that to be absent from this body is to be present with Lord which is a better place to be 🙏🏾 RIP Mrs. Davis Johari and Amanda
MAY THE PEACE OF THE LORD BE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY...
Charles, I'm sorry to hear of your loss. I've known Joyce since elementary school, starting in the first grade at Cummings Street Elementary School and throughout high school at Carver Senior High. She was a sweet, kind and loving person with a beautiful personality. My sincere sympathy and condolences to you and your family. May God's many blessings comfort you and your family now and in days to come. - Jacqueline Bobo, Beltsville, MD
Sending our deepest condolences to the family of Soror Joyce Davis.
The family of Dr. Joyce Davis have my deepest heartfelt sympathies during this difficult time. May she Rest In Heavenly Peace.
I give thanks for Dr Joyce for all that she done for me and my family Rest In Peace Marilyn
Our sincerest condolences to Dr. Davis' family. May she rest in peace.
-Sam & April Green, Pacolet SC
My sincere condolences I sending to the Davis Family.
Our Deepest Sympathy to you Charles and your family in these difficult times. May you find strength in the wonderful memories behind. Socrates Rembert & Phyllis Posley 💕💐🙏🏾
I am so very sad to learn of Joyce's passing. We taught together at Mary H. Wright Elementary School. Joyce was a wonderful teacher and so much fun to be around. Thinking of her family and keeping them close in thought and prayer. Cindy OQuinn
My condolences to Sonya, Charles and Family sorry for your loss.
I first met Mrs. Davis in December of 2009 as my journey with Head Start at ZL Madden was just beginning, right away I knew she was "one of the good ones." She was my center manager and confidant for the 5 years I was at ZL before transferring to Inman. We laughed and cried together. Sometimes we laughed so hard we cried, I can still hear her laugh. She was truly one of the good ones, I will cherish the memories I have with her. You and your are in my thoughts and prayers.
Kendra (Williams) Lewis
Sorry for your loss. Joyce will be truly missed. RIP Joyce.
Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.
Memorialize Joyce
Forever Missed Memorial Website
Preserve and share memories of your loved one by creating a Forever Missed online memorial. More at Forever Missed
