Lenita Joyce (Moore) Davis

November 24, 1939

Lenita Joyce Moore was born to Dora Juanita (Doolin) Moore and Roy Lee Moore on November 24, 1939 in the Shiloh Community of southwestern Delta County.  She attended school at West Delta.  During the school’s harvest recess, she worked along-side members of her family and neighbors pulling boles in the cotton fields of her family and other farmers in the Shiloh and surrounding communities.  Although an only-child, her cousin, Melvanda James (Smith), who was raised with her by Roy Lee and Juanita from a young age through her school years was thought of more as a sister.  She later delighted in playing the “aunt” to Melvanda’s daughter Yvonne and son Steve. 

Upon graduation from West Delta High School in 1958, she set-out to discover the opportunities afforded by the big city and took a job in downtown Dallas.  However, her ties to home and family proved to be strong and she soon returned home to Shiloh and a job at Security State Bank in Commerce, TX.  She enjoyed several years with the bank and forged many life-long friendships with her fellow bank employees and customers and members of the community.  One particular gentleman, Harley Davis, caught her attention.  Harley, native of Big Sandy, Texas, was in Commerce working as a fireman on the St. Louis South-western Railroad.  They discovered a mutual attraction that blossomed and the two were wed at her parents’ home in Shiloh on July 26, 1964.  The young couple resided in Commerce while Harley and his brother LeRoy built their home on land gifted to them by her parents on the family farm, within sight of the location of the house in which she had been born. 

Joyce left the bank and turned her focus on being a homemaker.  Her domestic role expanded when she and Harley adopted their only child, Jason Lee Davis, born March 19, 1969.  Nothing gave her greater pride and satisfaction than being a wife and mother.  Joyce and Harley were always present to support Jason, regardless of the activity he was undertaking whether it be music lessons, 4-H, FFA, stock shows, band, collegiate organizations, or entrepreneurial endeavors.

She worked several years as a volunteer for the American Cancer Society, teaming up with her first-cousin, Shirley Doolin Ripley to collect donations in the Shiloh and surrounding communities.  This activity enabled her to establish and maintain connections with friends and neighbors.  They frequently included Jason and Shirley’s son, Randy in this activity to help instill in them an appreciation for philanthropy.  Following in her father’s footsteps, she served the community as an elected board member of the Shiloh Cemetery Association of Delta County, Texas, and held the office of Treasurer of the association.  With her experience working at the bank and propensity for meticulous record-keeping, she was particularly well-suited for this office.

She loved Jason and his wife, Jennifer (Benson) Davis; however, her greatest joy was spending time with her grandson, Justin Lee Davis.  With Jason, Jennifer, and Justin living next to her, she was able to enjoy watching Justin grow from infancy to adulthood, spending time and participating in activities with him, and sharing wisdom and passing on many important life-lessons.

She was loved by her family, friends, and neighbors, several of which maintained daily communication with her.  She was blessed to be part of network of people that looked out for, supported, and cared for each other with such loving devotion.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Roy Lee and Dora Juanita (Doolin) Moore; husband, Harley Davis; cousin Melvanda (James) Smith and husband, Charles Smith; brother-in-law, George Thomas Davis; and sister-in-law, Brenda Davis. 

She is survived by her son, Jason Lee Davis, and wife, Jennifer (Benson) Davis of Klondike, TX; grand-son, Justin Lee Davis, of Klondike, TX; niece Yvonne (Smith) Lowen, and husband, Andy Lowen, of Sulphur Springs, TX; nephew Steve Smith and wife, Sherrie (Tice) Smith, of Sulphur Springs, TX; brother-in-law, LeRoy Davis, of Mineola, TX; and numerous cousins and extended family members.

She passed peacefully on the morning of July 27, 2025, at Christus Mother Francis Hospital in Sulphur Springs, Texas, with Jason and Jennifer by her side.

Graveside services are scheduled for 11:00 am Wednesday July 30, 2025, at Shiloh Cemetery Brother Mike Powell will officiate.

You may pay your respects online at www.deltafuneralhome.com

Services entrusted to Delta Funeral Home.