Joyce Leigh Davis

JOYCE LEIGH DAVIS Raleigh, NC

Joyce Leigh Davis, 57, was born on August 30, 1948, in Charlotte, North Carolina, to Andrew James and Virginia McIntyre Davis. She passed Saturday, February 11, 2006. She grew up in Charlotte and moved to Raleigh after attending undergraduate law school at UNC-Chapel Hill, graduating in 1974.

Joyce personified enthusiasm, vivacity, energy, and joy in everything she did. She exemplified the ethics of Christianity and love was the mainframe of her very being. 'Do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly in the path of the Lord.' Joyce loved life, and loved people. She frequently spoke of her "mission," which was to help those who were unable to help themselves, who no one else would help, and who had been treated unjustly. She was tireless in her efforts of service throughout her life-whether her family, her church, or the needy.

The Church was her rock. A member of St. Giles Presbyterian Church of Raleigh for 29 years, she gave of her exuberant life continuously, both to its congregation and its youth.

Joyce married the love of her life, Christopher E. McClure, on August 11, 1974, and they were blessed with two children, Andrew McClure (age 25), and Virginia Leigh Wade (age 27), son-in-law Charles Wade, and a beautiful granddaughter, Morgan Leigh Wade (age 14 months). She is also survived by her father, Andrew James Davis Sr, her stepmother, Mary Davis, her brother Andrew James Davis, Jr. and her sister-in-law Carol Davis, as well as many nieces and nephews. Joyce has joined her sister, Anita Davis Ludwig, and her mother, Virginia McIntire Davis.

While at UNC-Chapel Hill, she became president of the Student Bar Association, and president of the Association of Women's Studies. She was an fiery supporter of the 70's civil rights movement. Her efforts in school were rewarded by her nomination to the honorary Order of the Golden Fleece at UNC-CH. She practiced law in Raleigh, North Carolina, first becoming partner in the law firm of Crisp, Bolch, Smith and Clifton, and then forming her own firm, Joyce L. Davis & Associates in 1995. She was very active in the legal community, and was well-known throughout the Southeast for her specialization of minority discrimination cases.

Among her many distinctions Joyce served as the President of the Wake County Bar Association (1980-1981), on the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers (1981-87), on the Board and as President of the Board of East Central Legal Services (1983), and served on the Eastern District Advisory Group for Civil Justice Reform Act of 1990 from 1991-1995. Joyce was a frequent presenter at State and national seminars, and authored or edited several treatises dealing with employment law. She was beloved by her many clients, as well as by her colleagues in the legal community, and will be dearly missed.

A funeral service will be held for Joyce at 5 pm on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 at St. Giles Presbyterian Church, 5101 Oak Park Rd, Raleigh, N.C. Visitation will also be at St. Giles Presbyterian Church from 7 pm to 9 pm, Tuesday, February 14th. Joyce will be buried on Friday, February 17th at 1 pm, at St. Paul's Cemetery in Pendleton, S.C.

In lieu of flowers, to honor Joyce and her always giving spirit, please send memorial contributions to: Samaritan's Purse, Barium Springs Home for Children, Crop Walk, or Habitat for Humanity.

Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home, Central-Clemson Commons, and Brown-Wynne Funeral Home in Raleigh, NC is assisting the family with the arrangements.