On Thursday, April 9, 2020, Heaven gained an angel as we said goodbye to our cherished mother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend, Joanna Rene Davis. After a short 49 incredible years on this earth, she was reunited with her beloved husband, James Stacy Davis and her mother, Joan Foster Irby.
Rene was born on July 20, 1970 in Greenville, SC and was the third of five children. From an early age, she forged strong bonds with her siblings and remained close throughout the years. Rene was an intelligent and thoughtful woman who set goals and rose to challenges. Her intelligence and focus were unmistakable and lead her to further her education. Rene received her degree in business administration from Strayer University in Greenville. She was a valued part of the Windstream Communications company where she worked as a network analyst for 13 years.
Rene loved to travel and made many lasting memories with her family taking cruises and chillin’ on sandy beaches. A major league football fan, Rene was a founding member of the Greenville, South Carolina Chapter of the Star Status Cowboys Connection – Dallas Cowboys Fan Club. She and Stacy loved following the team and cheering them on in times of victory and defeat.
Rene’s ability to love knew no limits, and she and Stacy shared 29 years of marriage before his passing in 2017. Although she missed him every day, Rene remained a devoted mother to her two sons and put their needs before her own. Marcus and Christopher were her pride and joy. Rene was always there to provide encouragement and support to her sons, whether at Chris’s basketball games or encouraging Marcus to fulfil his dreams.
A true beauty inside and out, Rene dressed up her generous and love-filled heart with a classic elegance and fierce glamour. Her vibrant energy, dazzling smile, and outgoing and social personality afforded her countless friends and made her a joy to be around. Rene was approachable and affectionate and always endeavored to make others happy. She had a personal relationship with her Lord and Savior and served as a Deaconess and faithful member of Rock of Ages Baptist Church in Greenville.
Her memory lives on in the hearts of her father, Richard Irby of Greenville; two adored sons, DeMarcus James Davis and his wife Shaniqua Davis and Christopher Stacy Davis, both of Greer; three sisters, Elo Irby, Jenet Anderson, and Melissa Anderson, all of Greenville; a brother, Michael Wyne of Greenville; a dear friend, Peggy Mitchell; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Rene leaves a special cousin, John “Pooda” Hester, whom she raised as her son; and two beloved cousins, who were both like sisters, Samantha Kilgore and Tori Gambrell.
In addition to her husband and mother, Rene was predeceased by her maternal grandparents, Lillian and Dewey Foster and paternal grandparents, Edith and Richard Irby.
A private Graveside Service will be held on Thursday, April 16, 2020 at Resthaven Memorial Gardens in Piedmont. Friends are welcome to visit Thomas McAfee Funeral Home – Downtown Chapel, 639 N. Main St., on Wednesday, April 15, 2020 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. for viewing and to leave notes of condolences for her family. Due to the CDC and State of South Carolina public guidelines for social distancing, there will be no public visitation period for her family to receive friends.
The Davis Family encourages those who wish to support the family to send a "Hug from Home" on this website and send memorial donations in her name to Rock of Ages Baptist Church,105 Donaldson Rd, Greenville, SC 29605.
A public memorial service celebrating her Homegoing will be held at a later date.