Funeral service for Helen Joyce Davis McFerrin, age 82 of Sparta, TN will be conducted at 1 PM on Wednesday, September 16, 2020 at Higgins Funeral Home in Fayetteville, TN with Dwight Fuqua officiating. Burial will follow in Prosperity Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 PM to 7 PM on Tuesday, September 15, 2020 at the Findlay church of Christ in Sparta and on Wednesday from 11 AM until the time of service at Higgins Funeral Home. She was a long-time member of the State Line church of Christ in Lincoln County and for the last three years a member of the Findlay church of Christ in Sparta.
Mrs. McFerrin passed from this life on September 13, 2020 at Signature LifeCare in Cookeville, TN. She was the daughter of the late Arthur L. and Katherine Hooker Bland Davis of Lebanon, TN. Joyce was born in Evanston, IL on February 25, 1938 and moved to Wilson County, TN when she was nine years old. She continued her education at Gladeville Elementary School and Lebanon High School. She graduated from Tennessee Tech in 1960 with a B.S. Degree in Home Economics Education. Following further certifications, she taught fifth and third grades and served as librarian at Highland Rim Elementary School in Lincoln County, TN for about thirty years, having retired on December 31, 2002.
She loved the Lord and His church. Joyce was happy being in the presence of the beauty that God has provided us, from the many plants around the house to the majesty of the state and national parks. Just traveling and “exploring” local country roads brought much pleasure to her.
Joyce is survived by her husband of 62 years, James Clay McFerrin; 2 sons: David Clay (Janice Renee Hitchcock) McFerrin and Nathan James (Sherry Jo Kline) McFerrin; daughter: Miriam Katherine (Michael Lane) Avrit. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren: Alison Beth McFerrin (Christopher Brent) James, Clayton Thomas (Melissa Kate Bivens) McFerrin, Grant James McFerrin, Olivia Anne McFerrin, Brooke Ashley Holland (Christopher Robert) Woodrow, Tara Brianne Holland (Jordan Matthew) DeKeratry, Christopher Michael (Jennifer Lynn Greene) Avrit, Mary Katherine Avrit, Hosanna Joy Avrit (David Michael) Lawson, Joseph Davis (Glorianna Rachel Sapp) Avrit, Seth Jordan Avrit, Elizabeth Rose Avrit, Jonathan Caleb Avrit, Nathaniel Luke Avrit, Isaiah James Avrit; 5 great grandchildren; sister: Linda Katherine Davis Dreaden; and sister-in-law: Mildred Frances McFerrin (Jerry Wilford) Smelser. In addition to her parents, Joyce was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Larry Thomas Dreaden.
In lieu of flowers if you wish, memorial contributions may be made to the State Line church of Christ, 3325 Huntsville Hwy., Fayetteville, TN 37334 or the Findlay church of Christ, 505 N. Spring St., Sparta, TN 38583.
