Janis Murphy Davis

Janis Davis was born in Tallassee, Alabama and raised in Wetumpka. She was the third daughter of Marguerite and Horace Murphy with a younger brother. As a child, Janis placed her faith and hope in Jesus Christ and was baptized in Montevallo First Baptist Church. Her love for Gospel and Church music was encouraged by both parents, as was her singing and piano artistry. She and her two sisters sang in a trio locally.

Janis graduated from Wetumpka High School in 1962 and with a degree in Social Service from Alabama College in 1966 (now University of Montevallo). She spent summers at home and worked at Troy Alabama Baptist Children's Home and Glorieta New Mexico Baptist Encampment. Her first job was as a social caseworker for the Alabama Department of Pensions and Securities in Birmingham from graduation until marriage (1966-1969). She was also a caseworker at Buckner Children’s Home in Dallas from marriage until Shawn was born (1970-1973).

Janis met T. Bob's parents at the First Baptist Church of Troy where she sang in the Church Adult Choir with T. Bob’s dad, who would later introduce the two. Janis and T. Bob were married on November 29, 1969, and raised three children together (Shawn, Angie and Creth).

As a member of Prestonwood Baptist Church, Janis discipled her children and served in the nursery and by teaching preschool Sunday School, singing in the choir and hosting Disciple Now weekends. She was also an active member of Zig Ziglar's Sunday School Class and the Howard/Rowland Sunday School Class. As a member of First Baptist Church of Dallas, Janis served as a Chapel Choir Sponsor, Youth Camp Mom, member of the Adult Choir, and an active member of the Pathfinder's Sunday School Class, where she organized musical worship, often playing the piano and singing. Janis also enjoyed serving through Bible Study Fellowship. Her spiritual gift was service to others, her heart was warm and caring, and her smile was contagious. She found joy in loving others, especially her three children, son and daughter in-law, and her seven delightful grandkids, all who know Christ as personal Lord and Savior. The radiance of her life was a God-given gift, and her remarkable ability to ”fix” a meal for crowds at home and serve it all hot and exactly on time as she predicted was a God-given skill! She loved cooking for and feeding family and guests while doing so with the grace and skill of a health expert.

Janis enjoyed traveling the world with family and friends for fun and on mission for the Lord. She challenged T. Bob to take his dental skills to the mission field in 1977 and supported that work in Mexico, Guatemala, India and Romania. At home Janis loved her neighbors like family and welcomed them into her home for Bible study as well as the annual neighborhood Christmas party. She cherished celebrating and would decorate for every holiday with balloons and banners for birthdays and trees in almost every room at Christmastime for the birth of Christ. Janis and T. Bob excelled in hosting their annual New Year's Eve Friends Sing-along.

She will be deeply missed by all who knew her, but we know with confidence that she is with her Lord and Savior in glory!

Janis was preceded in death by her parents, Marguerite and Horace Murphy. She is survived by her husband, Dr. T. Bob Davis; her siblings: Milton Murphy, Peggy Harris, and Patricia Perry; her children: Creth Davis, Angie Iles (Brad), and Shawn Davis (Simri); and her grandchildren: Allie, Audrey, Henry, and Olivia Iles and Sutton, Asher, and Avery Davis. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews whom she loved.

Memorial service will be held in Truett Chapel at First Baptist Church of Dallas on Monday, March 18th, at 11:00 a.m. (visitation at 10:00 a.m.).

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to:

The Christian Medical & Dental Association, the Dr. T. Bob and Janis Davis Dental Student International Mission Dental Trip Fund, in honor of Janis, who initially volunteered T. Bob to start the trip at FBC Dallas during a Wednesday night Prayer Meeting in 1977. This year over 1,000 young people were treated in the week long mission. The future will allow dental students from any of the 46 CMDA Chapters in USA Dental Schools to participate during a trip. It is life changing.