Janet Leistner Davis

Janet Leistner Davis, age 79, peacefully entered the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Friday, July 17, 2026, at 7:49 p.m. While her family grieves her passing, they rejoice knowing that Heaven welcomed another beautiful soul and that her faith has become sight.

Janet was born on June 7, 1947, to James C. Leistner Jr. and Lena Bessie Miller. She lived a life marked by unwavering faith, compassion, forgiveness, and a deep love for her family. Her relationship with Jesus Christ was the foundation of her life. She faithfully read her Bible, loved attending church for as long as her health allowed, faithfully supported missionaries and charitable causes, and found great comfort in the beloved hymns “Amazing Grace” and “The Old Rugged Cross.”

Her favorite passage of Scripture was Matthew 18:21–22, where Jesus teaches the importance of forgiving others. Janet didn’t simply admire those words—she lived them. She extended grace freely, showed understanding to those around her, and welcomed everyone with a warm smile and a kind heart.

Janet shared 56 wonderful years of marriage with her beloved husband, Roger Davis, who survives her. Together they experienced many adventures, including traveling the country as over-the-road semi-truck drivers, creating countless memories along the way.

She is also survived by her three children: Dawn Wills and her husband, Brian, of Durham, North Carolina; Brian White and his wife, Debbie, of Mount Airy, Maryland; and Brian Davis of Cincinnati, Ohio.

Janet was a proud grandmother to 14 grandchildren and a joyful great-grandmother to 17 great-grandchildren, all of whom brought immeasurable happiness to her life.

Throughout her life, Janet embraced many different occupations, including meat cutter, film lab technician, cashier, waitress, school bus driver, and ultimately professional truck driver alongside Roger. No matter the job, she was known more for the kindness she showed people than for the work she performed.

Outside of work, Janet found joy in life’s simple blessings. She loved spending time with her family, tending her garden, trying new recipes, listening to music, dancing, and enjoying favorite television shows including Murder, She Wrote, Jeopardy!, and Wheel of Fortune. She had a wonderful sense of humor, loved making people laugh, and could be delightfully spunky when the occasion called for it.

More than anything else, Janet loved Jesus and loved people. Her gentle spirit, generous heart, compassionate nature, and joyful smile left an imprint on everyone blessed to know her. If you knew Janet, chances are you remember her warm smile, a word of encouragement, or a conversation that left you feeling just a little more loved. Her family will forever cherish the countless memories she created and the example of faith she lived each day.

Janet was preceded in death by her parents, James C. Leistner Jr. and Lena Bessie Miller; and by her brothers, James “Jimmy” C. Leistner III and A’eon Riggs.

A graveside service celebrating Janet’s life will be held on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Maplewood Cemetery, 1621 Duke University Road, Durham, North Carolina, Section 19, Lot 664, Space E.

The family finds comfort in the promise of Jesus:

“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.”
John 11:25 (KJV)

Janet’s family rejoices in knowing that she is now face to face with the Savior she faithfully loved and served throughout her life. Her legacy of faith, compassion, forgiveness, laughter, and unconditional love will continue to live on through the family she cherished and the countless lives she touched. Though she will be deeply missed, her family rests in the blessed hope that, through Jesus Christ, they will one day be joyfully reunited with her in Heaven. Until then, they will forever remember her warm smile and look forward to seeing it again.