Joyce Davis Banister—A Lady Who Loved Genealogy and the Family

Joyce Davis Banister was born on September 28, 1928, the daughter of A.L. “Bill” and Lou Belle Thomas Davis, and granddaughter of Seldon Trimble and Martha Elizabeth “Bettie” Bridges Thomas.   She was a native of Cadiz, Kentucky . In her youth, Joyce joined Oak Grove Baptist Church and was baptized in the Cumberland River in Canton, Kentucky. Following her marriage to John T. Banister, she joined Cadiz United Methodist Church. She taught Sunday school in different departments, served on numerous committees, worked as secretary in the church office, and served as a delegate to the annual Methodist conference for numerous years. Joyce also attended Union Ridge Baptist Church in Marshall County and Sellersburg United Methodist Church in Sellersburg, Ind. Joyce was a charter member of the Cadiz Women’s Club where she served on the constitution and bylaws committee, a member of the Ophelia Chapter No. 55, Order of the Eastern Star, a lifetime member of the Thomas-Bridges Association where she served in every elective office, on the resolutions committee and as a correspondent to long time editors, Edison H. Thomas and Charles K. Bridges; a member of the James Thomas Chapter of the American Revolution. She was a former member of the Trigg County Historical Society, the Trigg County PTA and the Trigg County Band Boosters. Joyce was also a Kentucky Colonel. Her hobbies included genealogy, scrap booking, quilting, cross-stitching, crocheting, sewing, her camera and last, but not least, spending time with her family and friends. Joyce was always sharing the past with anyone and could always find a family “connection” with all. All would agree Joyce never met a stranger. She was a1946 Trigg County High School Honor graduate. She attended Nashville Business College and Murray State University. Joyce had been employed at Trigg County Farmers Bank and retired as president and general manager of Trigg County Insurance Agency. With an insatiable appetite for knowledge, Joyce said the best gift she ever received was when she was 10 years old; a dictionary her Thomas grandparents ordered by sending a quarter and a Rectonga box top (Rectonga was a tonic they used). In her golden years, among her clutter there was always a dictionary within arm’s reach. She kept abreast of current events by reading a daily newspaper and watching world news on TV nightly. 

 

THE LINEAGE:

(Ruby Joyce Davis Banister was the daughter of Alfred Leroy "Bill" and Lou Bell Thomas Davis and the granddaughter of Seldon Trimble and Martha Elizabeth Bridges Thomas and the great-granddaughter of James Jasper and Mary Magdaline Cunningham Thomas. James Jasper was the fourth child of Starkie and Mary Bridges Thomas.  Starkie was the fourth child of James and Mary Standley Thomas.  Mary Bridges was the fifth child of Drury and Charity Cohoon Bridges.)