Obituary of Joan Mae Davis

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, September 22nd, at 3:00 pm at The Well Community Church, 1734 NE 1stAvenue in Portland, for Joan Mae Davis, who passed away with family by her side in Portland, Oregon on September 8, 2019, her 87th birthday. Joan was born in Portland on September 8, 1932 to Albert and Ethel (Gillett) Little. She was a lifelong Portland resident, having lived her entire life within two miles of her childhood home. She attended Vestal Grade School, Washington High School, and obtained her Bachelors in Education from Oregon State University in 1954. She was married to Delbert Davis from 1956 to 1982, and they raised three children: Wade, Eric, and Lynn. Joan taught 2nd grade but was ultimately able to fulfill her greatest desire, becoming a mother. Being a stay at home mom allowed Joan to be an active member of the Vestal PTA, Montavilla Little League and a second home to many of her children’s friends. She worked as a clerk at Gateway Mervyn’s (now Kohl’s) until 2016, serving as a mother figure and friend to many employees and shoppers alike. She was a fixture at the store for over 30 years, retiring at age 84. Joan was a devoted Christ follower and active in her church community. Her passion was teaching bible studies for young adults, encouraging them in their ongoing relationship with Jesus and love of God’s Word. She worshiped at Hope Presbyterian Church in Portland for almost 70 years. Her greatest joy and fulfillment came from being with her family, but Joan was also a lifelong reader and learner. She enjoyed meeting new people, hearing their unique stories and learning their insights on life and faith. She was an avid OSU Beaver fan, and a skilled bridge player. Joan was a natural historian and enjoyed driving around the Portland area, sharing her knowledge along the way. Joan also enjoyed knitting and found fulfillment in making blankets for the Minutes of Gold, a non-profit program that provides infant bereavement garments and blankets for babies born too soon in hospitals around the country. Joan was preceded in death by her eldest son, Wade in 1979; sister in law, Jackie in 2000; and brother, Jerry in 2009. She will be missed by all who loved her, including her children; son, Eric Davis and his wife Annabelle; daughter, Lynn Davis; and grandchildren Nicole and Eric Jr. She is also survived by her nieces, Julie Little and Jennifer Simons; great-nephews DeMarcus, Isaac and Andreas; and sister-in-law Audrey Little.