Joyce Ann Davis, age 77, of Joplin, Missouri, entered into eternal rest at 10:45 a.m. on Saturday, December 30, 2023. She was born at home on November 20, 1946, in Jerico Springs, Missouri to Herschel and Geraldine Jeffries. She was a homemaker and worked as a Walmart cashier for 15 years.

Joyce wanted everyone to know she was saved on February 21, 1960 “stretched out across her mom and dad’s bed” at her family’s home in Golden City, Missouri. She was a charter member of Blessings of Faith Missionary Baptist Church in Carterville, Missouri. She met the love of her life, Robert John Davis, through pen-pal letters while he was stationed in California with the Marine Corps, fell in love, and then married on December 22, 1967, in Stockton, Missouri. He preceded her in death on December 12, 2009.

She loved attending church, putting together puzzles, coloring in adult coloring books, watching Hallmark Christmas movies, and most of all, playing with her great-grandchildren. Before her health declined, she also enjoyed Zumba, Silver Sneakers exercise classes, and water aerobics. Aside from her hobbies, she considered her children and grandchildren her crowning achievements.

Survivors include one brother, Darrel Jeffries, Mt. Vernon, Missouri; three daughters and their spouses, Stephanie Davis Goad and David Goad, Joplin, Dollie Hardrick and Sammy Hardrick, Joplin, and Roberta Wood and Jake Wood, Fair Grove, Missouri; Nine grandchildren and their spouses; Zachary Goad, Joplin, Derek and Lianna Shields, Jefferson City, Missouri, Dylan and Briana Goad, Webb City, Missouri, Darian and Justin Christiansen, Joplin, Casey and Savannah Shields, Joplin, Joseph Wood and Jonah Wood, Fair Grove, Andrew Stanley, Galena, Kansas, and Cameron Hardrick Gibson and Philip Gibson, Webb City, and four great-grandchildren; Scarlett Gibson, Webb City, Tatum and Lakyn Christiansen, Joplin, and Alaska Stratton-Goad, Joplin.

Arrangements have been made with Greenlawn Funeral Home East in Springfield, Missouri. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at the funeral home. Funeral services will be at 8 a.m. Thursday, January 4, 2024, at the funeral home. Burial will follow at 10 a.m. at the Missouri Veteran’s Cemetery, 5201 S. Southwood Rd., Springfield.