Joan M. Davis

Joan Marie Davis of Elbridge Township died Saturday, January 6, 2018 at her home. Joan was born in Fremont, Michigan on May 16, 1928 to Gladys and Reginald Shepherd. She lived in the Diamond Lake area near White Cloud and Kalamazoo as a child. She attended Western Michigan University and graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Biology and Latin. She met and married Linford J. Davis while at WMU. Joan taught school for several years before starting a family. She moved to Hart in 1957 and raised her family, moving to Elbridge Township in 1966.

After a divorce, Joan attended Central Michigan University where she got a Master’s degree in School Psychology. Joan worked in the Montague Area Public Schools as a School Psychologist for 15 years, retiring in 1993. She enjoyed working with children immensely and developed long-lasting friendships with her colleagues in the Montague-Whitehall schools.

Joan loved all things natural, and whenever possible, spent time outside on her 80 acre farm nurturing wildflowers, rock gardens, and maintaining her yard and household. She regularly shared her love of the beauty outside the windows of her house. Joan was very interested in politics and donated her time and resources to support causes she believed in, including the environment, education, and peace. She was fiercely independent and empathetic, enjoying both her solitude and time with family and friends.

Joan is survived by siblings; Harriet Thompson of California and Chuck Shepherd (Lou) of Wisconsin. She is also survived by her children; Susan (Stephen) Wood of Lansing, Kathy Davis (Walter Pett) of Bath, Robert Davis (Rhonda) of Hart, Steve Davis (Lori) of Pentwater, and Laura Davis (Brian Richards) of San Antonio, Texas. She was preceded in death by her son, Karl Davis.

Joan is also survived by her grandchildren; Claire and David Wood, Adam Davis, Ruthann Blundell and Harry Holzschuh, Andrea Intlekofer, Leah Shaw, and Sean Davis, and Anthony and Orrin Davis. She has 14 great grandchildren; Mads Intlekofer, Samara and Rosemarie Davis, Oliver, Alistair, and Juniper Blundell, Harmony, Riveranne and Bo Davis, Vivian, Alena, and Damon Shaw, and James and Lauren Davis.

Joan is also survived by many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends. The family would like to thank Catherine Stewart, Anne Soles, and Diane Alvesteffer of Shepherd’s Staff.  Joan will be greatly missed by family and friends.

Visitation will be on Saturday, January 13, 2018 from 4-7 pm at the Harris Funeral Home in Shelby.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations are made to the Hart Public Library, 415 South State Street, Hart, MI 49420 https://hart.ploud.net/.  A gathering and  interment will be held in the spring at a date and location to be announced.

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