Joyce Ann Davis

Our loving mother, Joyce Ann Davis (nee Lehman), age 85, born October 28, 1940 of Belleville, IL, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 12, 2025, in her home. She was always someone her kids could go to for advice, love and comfort. She was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Strong-willed and faithful, she devoted her life to our loving Jesus Christ.

Joyce enjoyed collecting beautiful crystal pieces, mushrooms, cardinals, outdoor yard ornaments and anything that held beauty to her heart. She often reminisced on her younger years spent with Don on the farm. She had fond memories of them hauling grains together after he plowed the fields. Together, they enjoyed fishing, duck hunting, mushroom hunting and spending years of memorable weekends at the clubhouse with her family and relatives. The Air Show was one of her favorites and she always looked forward to the next show she could attend with Don and her beloved children. Together they would stop and grab something to eat, enjoy a good cup of coffee and take long drives through the countryside - often dropping off lunch for their grown children at work or meeting them for a lunch break at a local restaurant.

Family was the most important part of life for both Joyce and Don. Saturdays were always special. She would spend the day with her mom, sisters, brother, kids, nieces and nephews reading and talking about the Bible. Jesus was the fullness of her heart and soul, and she eternally changed the life of her children and grandchildren. She cherished quality time with her grandchildren watching Franklin, Little Bear and Scooby Doo, coloring pictures and watching old movies. They had fun going to the farmers’ market to get flowers to plant in the yard. She had the most beautiful yard with flowers galore. After planting flowers, a good sandwich and grape juice was a must with Grandma. Holidays were the best place to gather and spend time together every year. From her delicious Easter bunny cookies, to ringing in the new year with corned beef and cabbage while playing Tripoley, holidays were always special. As time went on, new traditions started and Saturdays became a day filled with shopping and eating at her favorite restaurants - anything and anywhere - it was Mom’s Day, whatever she wanted to do! The vehicle was filled with grandkids - big and small - occasionally picking favorite songs while driving, or listening to the world news, she was just happy to be with them. Through all the years and every tradition, Joyce continued to speak and fill our hearts with the word of Jesus up until her very last Saturday here on earth. Her wonderful legacy and loving heart will live on forever in the hearts of her family.

Joyce Married Donald Taft Davis March 18,1961 at Zion Lutheran Church. Her family is also Charter members of Zion Lutheran Church in Belleville, IL.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband Donald Taft Davis Sr.; her parents, Philip and Irma Lehman; siblings, Mark Lehman Sr., Ilene Rueter, Rosemary Uffelmann, Dorothy Seitz, Glenda Lehman; brother and sister in-laws, Joe Rueter, Willard Uffelmann, Bonnie Sigman, Robert Sigman, Audrey Mudd, Clem Mudd, Eugene Athmer and Ethel Athmer and her pet dogs, Kita & Bunny.

Joyce is survived by her children, who hold many blessed memories, including Wayne (Cory Schenk) Davis, Ronna (Rodney Sauerwein) Blake, Neal (Debbie) Davis, Alan (Vicki) Davis and Donnie (Kim) Davis Jr.; grandchildren, Rachael Sauerwein, Renee (Philip Eckert), Rebecca Blake, Roger Blake Jr., Ethan Bridges, Paige (Andrew) Simpson, Hannah (Steve) Bridges, Cory Davis, Erik Ramsey, Brandi (Elijah Goda) Ramsey and Sierra Dakota (Reid Phillips) Davis; great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn (Preston Murray) Blake, Alivia Sauerwein, Savanna Sauerwein, Harley Blake, Preston Eckert, Eleanor Eckert, Hudson Eckert, Camden Eckert, Alexander Ramsey, Brylee Ramsey and Ledger Davis Goda; and one brother-in-law, Ronald Seitz.

A visitation for Joyce will be held on Saturday, December 20, 2025 from 10:00 A.M.- 12:00 P.M. at Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home, Belleville, IL.

A funeral service will follow the visitation, at 12:00 P.M. at the funeral home.

Final interment will follow at Walnut Hill Cemetery in Belleville, IL, alongside her husband, Don.