Joyce Lee Davis

Joyce Lee Davis, 89, of Brookfield, Wisconsin, was called home to be with the Lord on September 19, 2024. She was born October 13, 1934, in Lexington, Virginia, daughter of the late Leonard Nicely and Lucy Wright Nicely. She lived the first twelve years of her life on a farm in Collierstown, Virginia, with her parents and grandparents, before moving with her parents to Naugatuck, Connecticut. She graduated from Naugatuck High School in 1953 and matriculated at Ohio Wesleyan University where she studied elementary education and served as a lay minister in the United Methodist Church.

Upon graduation from Ohio Wesleyan, she traveled by ship to Germany where on August 31, 1957, she married Dr. W. Harold Davis, who was serving as a veterinarian in the Air Force at Toul Rosiere Air Base in France. For two years, she taught kindergarten in France, before they moved back to the United States.

After a brief teaching career in Elkhart, Indiana, Joyce helped manage the Davis Animal Hospital and volunteered as PTA President in the Concord Schools, later serving as a member of Governor Robert D. Orr’s Indiana State Education Advisory Board. Always interested in fashion, during the early 1980s, Joyce created a seminar for women called “You Can Be a Cinderella at Any Age.” She was also active in helping her husband, during his tenure as President of the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association, and assisted with their second practice, the Zionsville Animal Clinic. Upon retirement, she served as interim minister for a local church, was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and was active in the Zionsville Lions Club. She joined her love for music and civic pride, creating a summer concert series for Zionsville that continues to this day.

For those that have known Joyce or have been fortunate to meet her for a brief time, all have felt her genuine love, care, concern and heartfelt listening ear with helping others in their moment of need or to share in their times of joy. Joyce has always embraced life with tremendous zeal in her love for music, the arts, Broadway shows, time with family, entertaining friends, afternoon tea and taking time to rest quietly with a book. She was a kind soul; always wanting to care for others with a faith-filled heart. She was a devoted servant to the Lord.

Joyce will be put to rest in the Collierstown Presbyterian Church cemetery next to her husband, parents, and infant sister, all who preceded her in death. She is survived by her children, Melinda Davis Lanham and Dr. Todd Davis, and their spouses and children, Donald Lanham, Barrett Lanham (Julie Lanham), and Mackenzie Lanham, and Shelly Davis, Noah Davis (Nikea Ulrich), and Nathan Davis, along with three great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please consider sharing a financial gift to the Alzheimer’s Association, American Diabetes Association, or the Zionsville Lions Club Park.

Tuesday, April 8, 2025

Celebration of Life
10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.- gathering time
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 pm- service
*Please confirm this time zone if you are attending from out of state
*All are welcome to attend

Zionsville United Methodist Church
9644 Whitestown Road
Zionsville, IN 46077

Thursday, April 10, 2025

Interment of Ashes
*Private family burial

Collierstown Presbyterian Cemetery
Lexington, Virginia