Obituary for Joy Isabelle Davids DAVIDS, JOY ISABELLE (PHAIR), Age 86 of Madison Heights, passed away on July 12, 2018. Joy was born on July 18, 1931 to Frank Phair and Dorothy Phair (Davis). She married LeRoy Davids (Lee) of Hazel Park on July 29, 1948.
She is survived by her husband of 70 years and her children, Mark (Kim), Bill (Patty), Mary Willer (Doug), John (Judy) and Tom (Veronica); 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Joy was the first woman ever inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Oklahoma by the Michigan Chapter. She and Lee established one of the first youth wrestling clubs in America and she volunteered thousands of hours over many decades organizing and running tournaments, and driving kids all over the country to compete.
Thousands of wrestlers will remember Mrs. Davids as the kind lady that created wall charts and took pictures of them on the award stand at local, state, national and international events. Dozens of young men and women called her “mom”, and her legacy with these young people is unparalleled. Joy’s volunteerism and generous spirit led to her being named Hazel Park’s “Young Woman of the Year” in 1966.
She had a lifelong passion for sewing and quiltmaking and operated a business in Hazel Park for many years. Joy was also very well known for her love and caring of stray and abandoned animals. She took into her home literally dozens of homeless cats and dogs over the decades and gave them a loving home.
For many years Joy organized class reunions for graduates of Madison High School, events that brought dozens of classmates together. In more recent years Joy moved back to Madison Heights and was very active in the Madison Heights Historical Museum, again donating much of her time to people she loved. In 2014 she was awarded the Historian of the Year Award from the city.
Joy was an avid card player- one of her great joys was playing cards and dice with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who had given her the nickname “The Old Fox”. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 17 from 2 to 9 pm at Hopcroft Funeral Home at 31145 John R. Rd. , Madison Heights.
There will be a brief service at 7 pm at the Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Joy’s name to The Salvation Army, 16130 Northland Drive, Southfiled, MI 48075-9522 or to The Michigan Humane Society, 30300 Telegraph Road, Suite 220, Bingham Farms, MI 48025-4507 To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Joy Isabelle Davids please visit our Sympathy Store. Upcoming Events Visitation , JUL 17.
02:00 PM – 09:00 PM Hopcroft Funeral Home-Madison Heights 31145 John R. Road Madison Heights, MI, US, 48071 hopcroft1948@yahoo.com Order Flowers for the Visitation Guaranteed delivery before Joy’s Visitation begins. Service , JUL 17. 07:00 PM Hopcroft Funeral Home-Madison Heights 31145 John R. Road Madison Heights, MI, US, 48071 hopcroft1948@yahoo.com Order Flowers for the Service Guaranteed delivery before Joy’s Service begins.
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