Joseph M Davis

Joseph "Joe" Mayes Davis, Sr of Daufuskie Island, South Carolina died suddenly on Friday, December 2nd, 2022 after a long life of service to his church, family, and community. He was 65 years old.  He was born on September 26, 1957 in Thomson, Georgia, and was son of the late James Davis and the late Helen Davis. His early life was spent in Millen, Georgia, where he owned Davis Welding and Construction. He was a resident of Daufuskie Island since 2007 and was a contributor to the island community in countless ways. He was a member of the First Union African Baptist Church on Daufuskie Island, and was a church trustee for many years. 
Mr. Davis was known by the Daufuskie community as "The Man Who Could Get the Job Done." His skills encompassed a large array of talents such as construction, heavy equipment work, Master boat captain, modular home installation and other trades. Everyone knew that if someone didn't have the financial means, Mr. Davis would quietly provide the work without charge and that he was always ready to help a neighbor in need. He was known for his strong work ethic and for being a man of his word. Mr. Davis considered the Daufuskie community to be his second family, as the bridgeless island creates a unique closeness where important events are shared and neighbors truly support each other. Mr. Davis was a prominent figure on the island, and was loved by all.
Mr. Davis was the husband of Melissa Hutson Davis. He supported her work at the island's first Children's Church and also with the rehabilitation of the island's orphaned and injured wildlife. Mr. Davis had two children by his former wife, Mabel Jean Davis of Millen. He had tremendous love for his two children: his daughter Dr. Angela Davis (Chris McDaniel) of Statesboro, Georgia and his son Joe Davis Jr (Joanie) of Millen, Georgia. His pride and joy were his six beautiful grandchildren. His oldest grandchild, Brianna McDaniel, was fondly known as "Pa Pa's Snookums." Other grandchildren were Jackson and Paige McDaniel of Statesboro and Aubrey, Alivia and "Lil' Joe" Davis of Millen. He was the stepfather to three children, Jacob Keith, Gabriel Keith, and Jessica Jones, and the stepgrandfather to Savannah Jones, Anna Grace Jones, Dacus Jones, Plair Jones, Isiah Sheldon, and Ethan Keith. It was a great joy to Mr. Davis that Ethan had moved to Daufuskie in 2020 and was working closely with him to learn the construction business. 

Mr. Davis was preceded in death by a brother, the late James "Jimmy" Davis. His surviving siblings included Becky Yoke (Mike) of Millen, Georgia, Greg Davis (Wendy) of Sardis, Georgia, Ruth Williams (the late Willie Williams) of Millen, Georgia, and Jamie (Stephanie) Davis of Millen, Georgia.
Mr. Davis was almost always accompanied by his beloved French Bulldog, Tank, who was at his side when he passed away. 

Due to the complexities of traveling to Daufuskie, Mr. Davis will be honored in both Millen and Daufuskie.  The first service will be at 11:am on Thursday, December 8th at First Baptist Church in Millen, Georgia. Mr. Davis' final resting place will be on Daufuskie Island, and memorial services will be held starting 10:00 am on Tuesday, December 13th, 2022 at Daufuskie's First Union African Baptist Church.
 
For Daufuskie's residents, Mrs. Davis asks that in lieu of flowers contributions be made to the Good Neighbor Fund, administered by the First Union African Baptist Church.
   
Joe will be greatly missed, but his friends and family are comforted by their many wonderful memories of his full life, and by John 11:25-26 that says "Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.”

Services of comfort have been confidently entrusted to Stiney's Funeral Home.