Joan Bell Hager Davis

Joan Bell Hager Davis, age 98, died peacefully in her home on Monday, September 7, 2026. She was born on June 4, 1928, in Paducah, Kentucky to the late Edward Wyatt Bell and Tula Annette (Grisham) Bell. She is preceded in death (1998) by her first husband, Auborn Lee Hager, Jr. Also preceding her in death is her second husband, Maclin P. Davis, Jr., her daughter, Joan Hager Pietramale, two grandchildren, Katherine Carr and Adam Carr, and her three brothers, William Bell, Robert Bell, and George Bell.

Joan is survived by daughter, Judith Hager Burch (Charles) of Brussels, Illinois, son, Auborn Lee Hager III (Lindsay) of Nashville, Tennessee; stepchildren, Joseph N. Davis (Cindy), Dorothy S. Davis, and the late Maclin P. Davis IV (Vicky); 8 grandchildren, Charles H. W. Burch (Gwen), Caroline Burch Stegman (Vince), Edward W. B. Burch (Claire), Auborn Lee Hager IV (Cassandra), Ellie Hager Staver (Max), Gabriel Pietramale, Roman Pietramale, and Gigi Pietramale (Brett McDavid); niece, Royanne Wilson Stubblefield (Ray), nieces and nephews, and her devoted caregiver, Wendy Morley.

A gifted pianist, vocalist, and songwriter, Joan devoted most of her younger years to the raising of her three children. Joan graduated from Peabody Demonstration School and furthered her education as a music major at George Peabody College for Teachers. She then became a professional pianist and vocalist during the late 1940’s and 1950’s recording for Mercury Records and Decca Records. Her songwriting included recordings for Eddy Arnold, Jim Reeves, and many others. She appeared on the “Arthur Godfrey Talent Scouts” television show and was a featured vocalist on the CBS network’s “The Eddie Arnold Show.” She frequently appeared on WSM’s The Noon Show as vocalist.

Joan became the first Music Director for the Nashville Gridiron Show and was the subsequent music director for almost all of the forty years the political charity roast played annually in Nashville.

She was a member of the Cumberland Heights Friends and very active in fundraising for the charity. She was a member of the Centennial Club and accompanist for the club’s chorus. She was a member of the DAR (General James Robertson Chapter) and the American Federation of Musicians (Lifetime Member). Her memberships also included the Nashville Opera Guild, Belle Meade Country Club, Hillwood Country Club, The Fun Bunch, First Wednesday Bridge Club, and other social organizations during her lifetime.

As a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, gifted entertainer and friend, she will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

A Visitation will take place from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Tuesday, September 15th, 2026, at Marshall-Donnelly-Combs Funeral Home; 201 25th Ave N. Nashville, TN 37207. A Funeral Mass will take place at 10:00 AM the following day, the 16th of September at St. Henry Catholic Church; 6401 Harding Pike. Nashville, Tn 37205. Burial to follow at Calvary Cemetery; 1001 Lebanon Pike. Nashville, TN 37210.

Those acting as pallbearers are: Auborn Lee Hager IV, Charles H. W. Burch, Edward W. B. Burch, Vince Stegman, Gabriel Pietramale, Joe Davis and Maxwell Nash Staver.