Ethel Joy Davis

Sunrise January 9th, 1939

Sunset August 13th, 2025

Ethel Joy Davis, 86, known affectionately as Joy to family and friends, passed away peacefully on August 13, 2025, at Treasure Coast Hospice in Stuart, Florida.

Born on January 9, 1939, in Mt. Industry, St. Catherine, Jamaica, Joy was the sixth of twelve children born to the late Leanora and Guildford Davis. She grew up farming community and, while considered very intelligent by her siblings and peers, did not have the opportunity to attend college, which was her ambition. After earning her Senior Cambridge certification from Mt. Industry School, she moved to Kingston, the nation's capital. For over two decades, she was a dedicated employee of the Jamaica Omnibus Service (JOS).

During her 20-plus years in Kingston, Joy started a family and, in 1976, purchased the family's first home in Portmore, Jamaica. This was a significant achievement for her, as it provided a permanent place for her husband and children and a welcoming gathering spot for her large community of family and friends. Joy was renowned for her love of cooking and sharing meals, always insisting that a visitor receives a sumptuous meal and a drink, no matter the day or time.

In 1981, Joy made the difficult decision to migrate to the United States in search of greater economic opportunities. After a brief time in New York City, she settled in Northern New Jersey. In 1986, she began a new career in healthcare, working for 18 years as a dedicated Nursing Assistant and Unit Secretary. This later-life career change was a testament to her caring and skillful nature. During this period, she re-professed her love for Christ and became an active member of the Wallace Chapel AME Zion Church in Summit, New Jersey.

After retiring in 2004, Joy and her husband relocated to their retirement home in Port St. Lucie, Florida. She continued her faithful service as a member of the Port Salerno Church of God. In this new phase of her life, she once again created a community centered around cooking and hospitality, developing a reputation for always offering a guest a wonderful meal.

A woman of many talents, Joy possessed a sharp, detail-oriented mind and a strong belief in fairness and equality. An avid follower of current events and politics in both the U.S. and Jamaica, she loved keeping everyone informed. Those who knew her will remember her as a loving and caring matriarch with a no-nonsense approach to life.

Joy is survived by her husband, Alvin (Martin); two children, Jennifer (Kae) and Alvin (Andrew); four grandchildren, Dominick-Jae, Elroy, Deion, and Tishaunna; five sisters, Millicent, Wanetta, Jasmine, Ventrice and Eloise; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, five brothers, and her daughter, Jacqueline (Jackie).

A visitation for Ethel will be held Saturday, September 27, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Port Salerno Church of God 4605 SE Cove Rd, Stuart, FL 34997. A funeral service will be held from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Port Salerno Church of God . A committal will follow at 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM at Fernhill Memorial Gardens 1501 S Kanner Hwy, Stuart, FL 34994.