In Remembrance

Joseph Davis was hardworking, quick to offer encouragement and advice

By Hannah Herner

Contributor vendor Joseph Davis passed on April 12 at the age of 65 after fighting cancer.

He sold The Contributor for more than 10 of the paper’s 13 years.

Vendor office manager and co-founder of The Contributor Tom Wills said Davis had quite the following at his spot on Hobbes Road and Hillsboro Pike.

“Joseph had large, serious eyes that always kept me on my toes,” Wills says.

BY HANNAH HERNER

“Hanging out in the office, eating a meal he knew how to cut straight to the point.”

Executive director Cathy Jennings remembers that even when Joseph was ill, he was always diligent and determined to keep his map badge.

“He was friendly, smiley, and so courageous in the face of his illness,” she added.

Michael Reilly and other volunteers got to know him well with how much time he would spend in the vendor office.

“Joseph was an outwardly crusty, but really a jovial guy,” Reilly says. “He enjoyed interacting with staff and other vendors in the office and, back when it was possible, was one of our office campers. He’d eat lunch and trade jokes and give tips to new vendors. Glad he’s done with pain.”

Volunteer Logan Ebel added, “He was a very kind man, even when he was struggling with health issues in the moment, he did his best to be grateful and friendly.”

Former office manager and current co-editor Linda Bailey was affected by Davis’ encouraging words.

“Joseph always called me ‘boss lady,’ which meant a lot to me because I felt like I never really knew what I was doing, but I genuinely felt like he believed in me,” Bailey says. “I remember Joseph as friendly, strong, fashionable and professional. I’ll miss him a lot.”