Kathryn Davis

Kathryn Joyce Davis passed away on Sunday, July 28, 2024 at her home with her family by her side.

Joyce was born September 22, 1931 in Lawrence, Kansas to Harold Clarence and Agnes Marion (Barton) Herschell. She grew up in the Clinton area, graduated from Liberty Memorial High School – Class of 1948 and attended KU majoring in PE. While at KU, Joyce participated in every women's sport offered. She also played on a traveling women's fast pitch softball team as their star catcher.

Joyce was a homemaker and later worked and retired from the State of Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services.

Joyce and Richard ‘Dick’ Davis married on April 8, 1956 at Danforth Chapel. They shared 57 years together before Dick passed away on May 28, 2013. Their home on Tara Street in Topeka is where they raised their family before moving to the ‘Farm’ in Lawrence in 1985.

After retirement, Joyce and Dick enjoyed their home south of Lawrence. They raised paint horses and miniature ponies. The ‘farm’ was a home with plenty of room for their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. All having many happy memories of celebrating birthdays, holidays, family get togethers, building forts in the pasture, hiding in the barn, playing basketball, 4-square and the wildly competitive Easter egg hunts.

Joyce loved to shop and always found a new treasure. She played Bunco with a special group of friends, volunteered at LMH and loved to travel. She attended every program or sports event for her grandchildren. Grandma Joyce was always there and was fiercely competitive. She was a longtime member of the Clinton Presbyterian Church.

She is survived by her children: Julie and Hal Jensen, Scott and Gayle Davis, Marcia and George Hersh, Ellen and Kent Townsend, Steve and Gisela Davis; grandchildren: Kelly (Randy), Katie, Stacy (Justin), Abby (Matt), Jenny (Matt), Becky, Jessica (Tom), Jamie (Drew), Mark (Jaclyn) Leslie (Mack), Steven (Haley), Melissa, Luke (Christie), Natalie and Jacob (Raiven); 29 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Dick, parents and siblings, Mary Ann Chamberlin and Bill Herschell.

Visitation will be Friday, August 2, 2024 at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home from 6 to 7 pm; Graveside services will be Saturday, August 3, 2024 at 10:30 am at Clinton Cemetery. All are welcome to join the family for lunch, provided by the Clinton Presbyterian Church, after the service.

The family suggests memorials to Clinton Presbyterian Church or charity of donor's choice, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Online condolences made at rumsey-yost.com