Russell Emmett Davenport Sr.

Russell
Emmett Davenport, Sr.
FAYETTEVILLE -- Mr. Davenport, 93, retired Fayetteville businessman, died at home on Tuesday, March 2, 2004, surrounded by his family.
Born on November 5, 1919, in Creswell, NC, Mr. Davenport was the son of the late Verna Brickhouse Davenport and the late Ellis Robert Davenport. He was educated in the Washington and Tyrrell County schools, graduating from Columbia (NC) High School in 1927. He attended NC State College (University), graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1932.
After working for the Dairy Department of NC State College and with the NC Agriculture Extension Service, Mr. Davenport moved to Fayetteville in 1945 as manager of Sycamore Dairy. From 1975 until his retirement in 1988, he was owner/president of the company. During his retirement years, he lived a lifelong dream of being a gentleman-farmer in Tyrrell County, residing for part of each year at his home place there.
Russell Davenport was involved in numerous professional and civic activities. He was a member and director of the NC Dairy Products Association, serving as president in 1974. He served two terms on the State of NC Milk Commission from 1975-1983, having been appointed by the Speaker of the House. He was a charter member of both the NC State University Alumni Association and of the Wolfpack Club. From 1935 he maintained consecutive membership in the Rotary Club wherever he lived, serving as president of the Fayetteville Rotary in 1955 and as area representative in 1984-1985. He was a Paul Harris Fellow and at the time of his death was an honorary member of Rotary. During his nearly 12 years on the Cumberland County Board of Social Services, Mr. Davenport served as chair for 3 different terms. He was a local board member of Southern National Bank (now BB&T), chairing the board for one term. He also served for a time on the Agriculture Committee of the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce.
A lifelong Baptist, Mr. Davenport was a member of First Baptist Church, where he served 2 different terms as Moderator of the church. A lifetime Deacon, he served his church in many leadership capacities. While he was on the Missions Committee, he was instrumental in the purchase of the property on which Sperring Mission (Sperring Memorial Baptist Church) was built. He served his denomination as Moderator of the New South River Baptist Association from 1977-1979 and as chair of the Finance Committee for several terms. He personally purchased the former Cumberland County Health Department building for the permanent home of the New South River Baptist Association and held the investment until the association was able to buy the building from him for the purchase price. Mr. Davenport also served on the General Board of the Baptist State Convention.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Berma Morris Davenport of Thomason, GA, whom he met in Charlotte. They were married by Dr. Luther Little on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 1935, at First Baptist Church in Charlotte in a noon service broadcast over WBT radio.
He is also survived by two daughters, Berma Jean Davenport Kincaid and her husband J. Brandon Kincaid of Charlotte, Anne Lee Davenport Godley and her husband C. Loyd Godley, Jr. of Clinton; and a son, Russell Emmett Davenport, Jr. and his wife Donna Griffin Davenport of Fayetteville; 7 grandchildren; 3 step grandchildren; and 2 great granddaughters. Mr. Davenport had one sibling, a sister, Ruth Davenport Bunch, who predeceased him.
Visitation will be Friday, March 5, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home and at other times at the residence. A service to celebrate the life of Russell E. Davenport, Sr., conducted by the Reverend A. Edward Beddingfield, Jr., will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 6, at First Baptist Church, 201 Anderson Street, Fayetteville. The family will receive friends following the service. Interment will be private.
Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Glen Holt, D.P. Russ, Jerry Leggett, Baylus Bramble, Herman Bishop, John Blackwell, Tom Bolton, Billy Bell, the Deacons of First Baptist Church and members of the Fayetteville Rotary Club.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 201 Anderson Street, Fayetteville, NC 28301.