JoAnne Ruth (French) Davis, age 90, of New Brighton, was swept up into the arms of Jesus on January 18th, 2026.  She was preceded in death by parents Orrin A. French and Beatrice (Peterson/French) Meyer; many aunties, uncles, and cousins; and grandsons Jesse Davis and Brandon Olsen.  She is survived by children Linda (Rick) Skaggs, John (Christy) Davis, Nancy (Mark) Olsen, Debra Davis, and Bill Bray's children Chris and John; grandchildren Austin Davis, and Erika (Len) Fairley; great-granddaughters Adrianna, Avery, and Aaliyah: brother Charles (Carole) French and family and many other cherished family and friends. 

JoAnne and her brother Chuck were born to Orrin and Beatrice French, and raised in St. Paul and Minneapolis, where JoAnne loved playing in Mr. DeMarco's garden with her best friend Phyllis, feasting on the DeMarco's spaghetti, going to the local bakery with her Mom, and going fishing with her Dad. 

When JoAnne was 16, the family moved to Princeton, where JoAnne became fast friends with Shirley Davis and together their group of friends were dubbed "The Georges" by Grampa Davis.  It was at that time that JoAnne also met and soon married Shirley's brother, Jack, in 1953.  

JoAnne and Jack moved to the cities, and eventually to New Brighton.  They sadly divorced in 1961.  But, JoAnne, being the amazing, courageous Mom she was, drew the strength she needed from the Lord, took on the task of raising her four little kiddos on her own, and sacrificially loved us to the end.  

If you've ever watched The Simpson's, that's a glimpse of what our home was like in those early days, with kids, toys, turtles, hamsters, cats, and laundry flying everywhere, as Mom did daycare and took in laundry to make ends meet.   Mom made sure we had plenty of fun along the way, but also made sure we got to Church on Sunday, thank You, Jesus!

We made frequent trips to Gramma Bea and Grampa Roy's farm in Princeton, which had become the family homestead where all the relatives would gather together to enjoy picnics and so many wonderful times together.  After Bea and Roy were killed in a tragic accident, Mom again drew on the strength of God to carry all of us through. 

Once the older kids started school, Mom then transitioned to selling Raleigh Products door-to-door, and she would bring youngest kiddo along.  Once youngest began school, JoAnne started working as a secretary.  She rapidly advanced to become administrator of a Nursing Home, then kept right on climbing until she became Administrative Secretary to the CEO of a major corporation, a position she held until her retirement.

All throughout, Mom was social butterfly extraordinaire, always active in one group or another, whether it be Church, Community, work, play, or all of the above.  During one of these social gatherings, in 1980, a surprise gift was awaiting Mom.  That gift's name was Bill Bray.  They became sweethearts, and together danced their way through the next 43 years.  

JoAnne delighted in being with family and friends, always reached out to help others, opened her home for people to stay on many occasions, and was such a giver, even in the early days when she struggled to put food on the table, she still made sure to give to those less fortunate.      

We were so blessed to have her as long as we did, and can't begin to express the love and gratitude we feel for her.  We know many of you feel the same way, so we invite you to please share your stories here on this site.  

Please also join us in celebrating Mom's amazing life on Friday, February 13th, 2026, at Plymouth Covenant Church, 4300 Vicksburg Ln N, Plymouth, MN 55446 - ENTER THROUGH DOOR #1 - Phone 763-559-4300.   Visitation at 11:00 am, Service at 12:00 Noon, luncheon at 1:00 pm. (service will be in the chapel, not the main sanctuary).