Joyce Marie Davis was born with music in her soul, a gift she would share with countless others as a teacher, choral director, performer and composer.
Davis died July 18 after a period of declining health. She was 82.
“She could inspire students in ways that brought out their best traits and talents and left them with confidence, tenacity and courage,” recalls Andrew Hudson, whose own musical talent was shaped in part by Davis during her tenure at Manual High School.
Davis was the first African-American vocal music director and instructor in a Colorado high school; she remained at Manual from 1970 until her retirement in 1992. During that time, she led the school’s concert choir and other musical groups in performances throughout the state and across the nation. They ranged from a concert for a 21-person audience at a neighborhood church to a 30-minute uninterrupted appearance on KMGH-Channel 7.
She also served as minister of music for Denver’s historic for over 50 years.
Friends and family are invited to celebrate her life by attending either or both of the services being held in her honor. An evening of praise and celebration is at 7 p.m. July 31, while “Homegoing: The Finale” begins at 11 a.m. Aug. 1. Both are at Zion Baptist Church, 933 E. 24th Ave., where she will lie in state from 9 to 11 a.m. Aug. 1. Davis became a member of the church in 1955.
“As you know, Mama loved colorful, lively, vibrant and celebratory colors, so that’s what the attire will be,” advises Davis’ daughter, Ervia.
Born June 12, 1933, in Rosenberg, Texas, to Gregor and Helen Amey, Davis joined Mt. Vernon Missionary Baptist Church there when she was 7. The pastor recognized her talent by appointing her director of its Missionary Starlight Rhythm Band.
She went on to study piano and — at age 12 — become choral director of the Nazareth Baptist Church, also in Rosenberg. Davis was 15 when she was valedictorian of her A.W. Jackson High School graduating class. From there she graduated summa cum laude from with a bachelor’s degree in music education. She also earned a master of music education degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder and a Doctor of Humane Letters from Central America University Ministries.
In addition to teaching at Manual, she has lectured at five Colorado colleges and universities; served as a music instructor at the former Loretto Heights College; and was one of 22 music educators selected by the National Association of Schools of Music to develop proposals that would revise college-preparation programs for music educators.
She also founded and directed the Colorado Interfaith Choir. When the Rev. Sherman R. Tribble chose her and 10 others to develop a new hymnal and worship resource for the National Baptist Convention USA, he noted that in addition to bringing “her wonderful 60 years of music ministry experience” to the table, “Mama Joyce” had also contributed “warmth, wisdom, worshipful ways, elegance and charm” to the effort that resulted in publication of the Total Praise Hymnal.
She has received numerous awards and honors, including induction into the Colorado Gospel Music Hall of Fame and, with her husband, the late Dr. Moses C. Davis, the 1997 Colorado Parents of the Year Award. Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314, jdavidson@ denverpost.com or twitter.com/joannedavidson
