Jennifer Lynn Davis-Preffer

Dr. Jennifer Lynn Davis-Preffer, 62, resident of Saint Johns, Florida, passed away peacefully on December 23, 2025, after a seven-year battle with breast cancer. Jenny was born in Portsmouth, Virginia, on November 06, 1963, to Gerald Lynn Davis and Diane Helene Slates Davis. As part of a military family with seven siblings, Jenny moved often while growing up. She cherished these experiences, and frequently shared fond memories of their time in the Philippines and Escanaba, Michigan.

Jenny’s greatest passion in life was helping others; a quality reflected in the children she raised and the many career roles she embraced. She was an avid student, earning her first degree in restaurant management, followed by her Bachelor of Nursing from Old Dominion University. She worked as a Registered Nurse in several roles including emergency medicine, labor and delivery, pediatrics, school nursing, and nursing education. At age 38, she returned to further her education at Regent University where she earned her Masters and Doctoral degrees in Counselor Education. Upon completion of her education, she opened a private counseling practice and became a professor with Grace College in their Counselor Education program. In her role as a professor, she was instrumental in creating their online Masters in Counselor Education program.

Jenny was ever devoted to God and active in the church. As a member of the parish at San Juan del Rio Catholic Church, she was involved with several ministries, including the Ladies Auxillary and Catholic Mental Health Ministry. Outside of work and church, Jenny enjoyed the beach, travel, cooking, reading, and time spent with family and friends.

Jenny is survived by her husband of 23 years, Robb Preffer, mother Diane Slates Davis, daughter Jamie Lynn (Wes) Holland, son Jared Shane Beasley, daughter Samantha Diane Preffer, son Cameron Gerald August Preffer, daughter Rachel Eve (Ryan) Bush, and stepson Johnny (Kerri) Beasley. She also leaves behind 8 grandchildren, with one more due in March. Her surviving siblings are Jeffrey (Cathy) Davis, Peter Davis, Minerva (Lowell) Davis, Paul (Jerlyn) Davis, Efren (Beverly) Davis, and Chris (Andrea) Davis.

Jenny was predeceased by her father, Gerald Lynn Davis, sister Kathy (David) Amish, grandparents, Ralph and Kathryn Slates, and Langdon and Madelyn Davis.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the “Dr Jenny Preffer Endowed Scholarship”, established by Grace College where Jenny taught for over a decade in their mental health counseling program. Donors can give online at https://www.grace.edu/give-to-grace/give/ To designate the donation for the scholarship, select the drop down on the first tab of gift entry and select "Dr. Jenny Preffer Scholarship" from the selection available. (At some point if the scholarship is not listed, since they rotate selections apparently, then donors can select "Other" and write in the name of the scholarship in the comment box.)

Donors can also give via mail. Checks should be made out to Grace Schools. with the memo line including "Dr. Jenny Preffer Scholarship" and mailed to: Grace College 1 Lancer Way Attn: Office of Advancement Winona Lake, IN 46590. Any questions can be directed to [email protected]

Visitation with friends and family will take place on Friday, January 16, 2026, from 6 pm – 8 pm, at Hardage Giddens Funeral Home, 11801 San Jose Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32223 (904) 288-0025. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at San Juan del Rio Catholic Church, 1718 State Road 13 Saint Johns, FL 32259, with a reception to follow in the reception hall at the church.