Joyce Davis was born Nov. 24, 1924, in Yelm, Washington, and died June 29, 2026, in Centralia, Washington. Her parents were Clinton and Georgia Rathbun. As a child, her father was a "gyppo logger" who had a sideline during Prohibition.
She was preceded in death by husband Don A. Davis; siblings Gayle Birkhoffer, Alton Rathbun, Neil Rathbun and Francis "Frankie" Sutton; daughter Lynda Davis Parker; and grandsons Gary Townsend, Chris Davis and Mike Davis. She is survived by brother Otis Rathbun; sons David, Clark (Sheri) and Brad (Sheryl) Davis; and many grandchildren and multiple great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.
As a child, she lived at Chimacum, Rainier, Boistfort, Randle near the swinging bridge, Nesika, Mossyrock and at "Mickey Mouse corner" by the Toutle and Cowlitz rivers. She enjoyed swimming in the Toutle River and swam in a pool three times a week into her 90s. She graduated from Mossyrock High School in 1942. She married Donald A. Davis March 19, 1943.
In 1945, she and Don bought the fishing vessel "Romance," the first of a series of commercial trolling boats over 62 years. She accompanied Don on the boats, salmon fishing off the Washington, Oregon, California, Mexico and Alaska coasts, and albacore tuna fishing 100 miles and more offshore.
While traversing Dodds Narrows in Canada, the boat got in a whirlpool, and they tied to a tree to wait until the swift current improved. Afterward, she was apprehensive whenever tidal narrows were even mentioned.
In 1957, Joyce and Don moved the family to Ketchikan, Alaska, on their 38-foot boat, "Gene," with four children and a dog. Household goods were in the fish hold.
They grew, caught, picked or shot their own food, then canned it. By late fall, the fruit room at their home was full of preserved food.
She was practical and sewed many of her husband's and children's clothing. She enjoyed quilting and knitting, always having yarn and needles nearby.
In 1964, they returned to Centralia, migrating seasonally to Alaska.
She and Don retired and sold their last trolling boat, "Lady Joyce," in 2006. She loved her family and friends. We miss you, Mom.
Joyce Davis' graveside memorial will be combined with late daughter Lynda Parker at noon Friday, Nov. 20, 2026, at Doss Cemetery on the hill above Mossyrock, Washington, with a gathering immediately following at Mossyrock Community Hall, adjacent to City Hall.
