Joyce Davis Downey

Joyce was born May 28, 1932, in Columbia, SC to the late Mary Magdalene Martin Davis and Jessie Robert “Bob” Davis. She was predeceased by her husband, William B. Downey of Columbia, SC.

Joyce retired from Cherokee Construction Company and was a lifelong member of Greenlawn Baptist Church where the Davis family were founding members. For many years she enjoyed being a part of the church’s outreach program.

Joyce is survived by nieces and nephews who she loved as her own and had many great-nieces and nephews she adored. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Jack Inabinet. She was very fond of her husband’s sons, John, William P., Robert, and James (deceased) and his daughter, Kathy.

We know Joyce was excited to be reunited with her parents and her siblings who predeceased her, Irene Davis Zeigler, Margaret Davis Glenn, Helen Davis Inabinet, and Jessie Robert Davis, Jr. as well as her very best lifelong friend, Barbara Alford.

Joyce grew up with many cousins who are still very close today, all who loved living and visiting each other on the homestead of what was once known as Davis’s Corner. The Davis family are also among the many families that became known as Fort Jackson Prior Landowners’ Descendants. For many years reunions were held for the descendant families to come together and share their history and stories.

Joyce will be remembered for her contagious laugh and her quirky but loving sarcasm. After having to have her right foot amputated, she got a kick out of telling family and friends to “kiss my foot.” She earned the name Spitfire because of her quick wit & sassy sarcasm.

One of her favorite past times was looking through old family photos and reminiscing about all the years gone by and sharing family tales and history with others. She was quite the character, and she will be missed. She found her footing along her journey, especially in her later years, with a positive attitude, flavorful humor, and her strong faith in God.

We would like to thank Amedisys Hospice for their tender care and for showing her love and dignity these last few weeks.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Oliver Gospel Mission, 1100 Taylor Street, Columbia, South Carolina, 29201or Greenlawn Baptist Church, 6612 Garners Ferry Road, Columbia, South Carolina, 29209.

A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at 2:00 pm in Greenlawn Memorial Park, 845 Leesburg Road, Columbia, South Carolina 29209. Dunbar Funeral Home, 3926 Devine Street, Columbia, SC 29205 is in charge.

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.