KALAMAZOO — Over the years, Joyce Lynn Jones-Davis has heard a plethora of songs that

honor military soldiers. However, nearly all of them seemed geared toward men. So she

decided to do something about the situation.​



“Women have always been a part of American military history in one form or another and

have sacrificed their lives,” Jones-Davis said. “But you just don’t hear songs written for the

women in the military, many of us being mothers who sacrifice just as much to serve as

the men.”



As a soldier and professional singer, she wrote the song “A Tribute to Military Women.”

The song, and her slide show to honor military women, will be debuted during a

gospel-music concert at 7 p.m. Friday at Mt. Zion Baptist Church.



The event will celebrate the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s

100th anniversary and honor Jones-Davis as Veteran of the Year of the Metropolitan

Kalamazoo Branch of the NAACP.



She is the first female to receive the local branch’s Veteran of the Year award, said Charles 

​Warfield, the branch’s president.



“I am very honored to receive the Veteran of the Year award,” Jones-Davis said. “As a female who has served in the military, it is heartwarming to be recognized for my contribution to the strength and success of our country.”



The local NAACP branch will hold its annual banquet Saturday at Western Michigan University’s Bernhard Center. Warfield said the event will be a time to reflect on the accomplishments of the past and to focus on the future.



“In the 100-year history of our organization, I think it’s fitting to honor a woman who has served our country,” Warfield said. “Our organization has come a long way in the fight for freedom and justice and breaking down barriers.”



Jones-Davis was born in Baldwin and grew up in Kalamazoo. She graduated from Loy Norrix High School in 1972, then earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Nazareth College and a master’s degree in health services management from Webster University, in Texas. She joined the military in 1977, earning the rank of captain while in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps.



For the past four years, Jones-Davis has served as nurse manager of the Veterans Administration Outpatient Clinic in Grand Rapids.



She and her husband, Jacques Davis, reside in Grand Rapids and have one son, Jarrett Price.



The last child and the only girl of six children, Jones-Davis knew the importance of serving her country. Her father, Walter Jones Jr., served in World War II, and her brother, Walter Jones III, served during Vietnam. He was honored as last year’s local NAACP Veteran of the Year.



Music, along with the military, has been a part of Jones-Davis’ life as long as she can remember.



Her mother, Alma, taught her to sing “How Great Thou Art” when she was 2 years old. Music has stayed with her, leading to two CD releases (”Counting my Blessings,” 1996; “Give Them Time,” 2008) and appearances at various venues.



Being named the Veteran of the Year, and the chance to share her support of women veterans through song, is something she said she will always remember.



“I applaud the NAACP for their efforts to recognize and appreciate service women of all eras,” Jones-Davis said.