OBITUARY: Evelyn Davenport

Evelyn Davenport

Mary Evelyn Davenport passed away on September 7, 2018 after spending 99 years devoted to family, friends and fellowship.

Born April 14, 1919, in Humboldt, TN, to E.E. and Birdie Mason, she grew up in a large, tight-knit family with siblings who stayed close throughout their lives. She was a loving sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and a woman of great faith.

Evelyn graduated from Fairview High School, where she played basketball. She was married to James Henry Davenport, the love of her life, for 72 years. She was active in the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Jackson, Tenn., where she sang in the choir for many years. She worked as secretary of the Postal Employees Credit Union in Jackson. After moving to Nashville in 1994, the couple also became active in the Brenthaven Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Brentwood, TN.

Through the years, the Davenports made traveling with friends and family a priority, including trips around the country and abroad. Her homes in Jackson and Nashville—much like her childhood home in Humboldt—became a gathering place for family, meals (she was an unmatched cook) and conversation. Anyone who was a guest at her house left full of love and great food.

Evelyn is preceded in death by parents E.E. and Birdie Mason; husband James Henry Davenport; sisters and their spouses Ruby and Doc Studards, Lorene and Clarence Murphy, Jenny and Fred McCord, Linda and Bob Dawson; and brother Bobby Joe Mason. She is survived by son James D. (Betty) Davenport; daughter Rosemary (Tom) Blose; granddaughters Julie (Chuck) Davis and Donna (Robert) Hilliard; grandsons Russ (Lynn) Blose and Chris (Marianne) Blose; and great-grandchildren Ben Davis, Jonathan Davis, Jackson Blose, Marianna Blose, Garrison Blose, Gabby Hilliard and Sam Hilliard.

Visitation will be Tuesday, September 11, from 9–10:30 a.m., at Brenthaven Cumberland Presbyterian Church. There will be a private family service and burial in Medina, TN. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to Brenthaven Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 516 Franklin Road, Brentwood, TN, 37027.