1st March 1953 — 6th January 2026
Opening Portrait
Innovative, industrious, and entrepreneurial — full of strength, wisdom, love and compassion for humanity. A philanthropist in her own right.
Florence Tosan Davies was born on 1st March 1953 in Sapele — in the then Western Region of Nigeria — to Mrs. Anormuagharan from Ogheye, Delta State, and Mr. John Oformiyuaghan Edobor from Aghalokpe, Ethiope East Local Government Area. She was the third of five children, and from her earliest years she was known by those who loved her as "Dede" — a calm, joyful, and deeply loved child.
She attended Baptist Primary School in Sapele from 1959 to 1965, passing her entrance examination with distinction before proceeding to Chude Girls Secondary School, Sapele. Around 1969, she made her way to Lagos — a city where her story would truly begin to unfold.
In Lagos, Florence found employment with several companies, including the prestigious Leventis and Kingsway Stores on Marina Road — where a certain Mr. Davies first noticed her. Their love story blossomed into a beautiful union blessed with five children: Kolawole, Abiodun, Dare, Olubunmi, and Modupe.
Florence was never content to stand still. Even while raising her children, she was building. She ran the family bakery, oversaw various business ventures, and — fuelled by her deep love for style — enrolled in a Fashion Design School, where she excelled in design and dressmaking.
Her entrepreneurial spirit never rested. She moved into manufacturing and packing of beddings, supplying to stores and supermarkets across Lagos. Later, she became an independent supplier of petroleum products for AP — sourcing and delivering with the same tenacity she brought to everything she did.
For all her business accomplishments, Florence carried one dream above all others: to educate children. In pursuit of that dream, she acquired her NCE qualification — and with the love of children as her compass, she established Joyland Daycare.
What started as a safe and nurturing space for young children quickly grew. In 1999, Mr. and Mrs. Davies co-founded Joyland International School — now known as Davies Memorial School — with a vision to make quality education affordable and accessible to every family in the community.
Florence didn't just run a school. She cultivated a garden of potential. She introduced classroom libraries, offered scholarships, prayed for her students by name, and celebrated every achievement — no matter how small. She believed with her whole heart that every child deserved a "Joyland" — a place of safety, growth, and joy.
Today, the school stands as her greatest earthly legacy: Joseph Kolawole Davies Memorial Nursery & Primary School and Joyland Heights Secondary School.
Florence was a woman of deep, unwavering faith. She was an active and dedicated member of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, where she was baptised, and also attended the Baptist Church — faithful in both service and worship.
She was equally committed to her community. As a member of the Warri Ladies Vanguard Club, she carried her generous spirit beyond her home and school — showing up for people, supporting causes, and being the kind of woman others turned to in times of need.
To her five children — Kola, Biodun, Dare, Bunmi, and Dupe — Florence was the North Star. She modelled strength and grace in equal measure, showing them that tenderness and resilience could live in the same heart.
To her seven grandchildren — Omolola, Daniela, Samuel, Peter, Paul, Praise, and Genesis — she was the keeper of stories, the giver of wisdom, and the embodiment of unconditional love. She called to check on them. She prayed over them. She believed in them.
And she extended that same love to anyone who came within her reach — biological or not. To the many she called her own, she was simply Mummy.
The milestones of an extraordinary woman — from Sapele, to Lagos, to a legacy in classrooms across the country.
She believed every child deserved a fighting chance. She built schools, created libraries, gave scholarships, and prayed for students by name.
She never waited for opportunity — she created it. From fashion to fuel supply, from bakeries to boardrooms, she did it all with excellence.
Her door was always open, her table always full, her heart always ready. She gave of herself — her time, her resources, her love — without keeping score.
God was the foundation of everything she built. Her faith was not performance — it was her life, her strength, and her source.
“Moi, you were a remarkable, gracious woman. Innovative, industrious and entrepreneurial, full of strength, wisdom, love and compassion for humanity. You taught us to value the key principles of life, ensuring God took preeminence in all things.
Your greatest legacy are your children — your pride and joy, for whom you gave your very best of everything.
You have fought the good fight. You kept the faith. You made it home.
Rest on, till we meet again at the Lord's feet.”