Reverend Joan Davis Avents, daughter of John H. Davis and the late Lillian E. Davis was born November 30, 1949, in New York City, New York. On Tuesday, February 18, 2019, after a long illness, God in his infinite wisdom saw fit to call her home to be with him. She was educated in the Washington, D.C. public school system graduating in 1968 from Calvin Coolidge High School. In later years she pursued a higher education at the American University of Washington D.C. where she earned a Master's Degree in Human Resource Management. During her career, Joan held several positions in private industry and the public sector. She retired from the United States Postal Service with more than 20 years of service. After retirement, she went back to school and successfully obtained a real estate license. Until her illness, made it impossible, she worked with Alfred Ekuben and Associates, in Takoma Park, Md as a licensed realtor. On May 27,1972, in a small quaint church in Washington, D.C. Joan married the love of her life, Walter, and was a devoted and loving wife to him for 47 years. From this union was born one son, Samuel Irving. In addition to being a loving mother and wife, she was also devoted to her grandchildren. Not only did she have a special place in her heart for her grandchildren but for all children. She encouraged them with the Word of God and always provided guidance and encouraged them to strive to be their best. She did not hesitate to discipline and correct them when necessary, but always with love. At an early age Joan accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior and was baptized. She was an active member of Gilfield Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. for approximately 10 years, where she first began to feel the call to Minister. Reverend Avents became a member of Greater Rock Creek Baptist Church in Sptember 1998. She began walking in her calling with a food ministry at the Malta House, an Assisted Living Facility in Hyattsville, MD. She ministered to the residents of Malta House during frequent visits and began holding a weekly bible study. Rev. Avents often brought senior residents of the Malta House to worship with her Church family at Greater Rock Creek Baptist Church. Reverend Avents was also a Teacher and a Preacher. She wanted everyone she knew and met to live the best life that God had for them. She loved senior citizens and regularly visited the sick and shut-in to lift them up in prayer and encourage them with the Word of God. She always found ways to minister to their needs as best she could. She was always encouraging others and could be quite comical. She loved her family, her church and church family. She never met anyone she treated as a stranger. She was a willing worker, doing whatever she could to help. She was and would want to be remembered as a Woman of God after his heart. She leaves to cherish her memories her father John H. Davis of North Carolina, her Mom (mother-in-law) Bertha M. Avents of Hyattsville, Md. her husband, Walter S. Avents, and son Samuel Irving Avents of Mt. Rainer, MD. seven grandchildren: Ali Juma, Bryana and Madeleine, Bonyoma, Talaya, Makayla, and Brandon Campbell and Samuel Irving Avents, Jr. all of Maryland, two sisters, Shelia Davis of Queens, New York. Barbara Alston of Warrenton, North Carolina, two brothers, Kelvin and Keith Davis of Long Island, New York, three aunts, Annie Davis and Gladys Davis of Warrenton, North Carolina, and Catherine Davis of Buffalo, New York; one great aunt, Roxie Alice Davisof Warrenton, North Carolina and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. You are not forgotten loved one. Nor will you ever be, As long as life and memory last, we will remember thee, We miss you now, our hearts are sore, as time goes by, we miss you more, You loving smile, your gentle face, No one can fill your vacant place.