Cleveland H. Davenport

FUNERAL HOME

J.B. Tallent Funeral Service & Crematory

1937 North Sharon Amity Road

Charlotte, North Carolina

Cleveland Davenport Obituary

Cleveland H. Davenport
April 1, 1913 - Aug. 13 , 2006
Mr. Davenport, of Charlotte, NC, died Sunday August 13, 2006 at the Huntersville Oaks. He was the eldest of nine children and lived in Wagener, SC with his parents, Festus and Carrie Davenport. Cleve came to Charlotte in the late 1930's to work. In 1944, he began work at First Baptist Church when Dr. C.C. Warren was pastor. He retired in 1994 and moved to The Oaks in Huntersville where he lived until his death.
Cleve was a 'fixture' at First Baptist and was loved by both young and old. When the church moved from North Tryon to Davidson Street, a desk was placed just inside the entrance to the Educational Building, where he spent much of his time greeting the people as they came in. Cleve was a member of First Baptist Church, having been baptized by Dr. Carl Bates. He was especially grateful to Mrs. Betty Estes and the late Miss Elizabeth Kendrick for teaching him to read. Although he did not have a formal education, he was very knowledgeable.
He is survived by a son, Sylvester Davenport, of Charlotte; sisters, Carrie Mae Dunbar of Salley, SC and Eula Miller, of Charlotte; and a brother, Melvin Davenport, of Wagener, SC.
A memorial service for Mr. Davenport will be held at First Baptist Church, 301 South Davidson Street, Charlotte at 11:00 AM Tuesday August 15, 2006 with his Pastor, The Reverend Dr. Mark Harris and The Reverend Joe Burnette officiating. Viewing will be for one hour prior to the memorial service at the church. Interment will follow at 1:00 PM at Forest Lawn West Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, PO Box 31046, Charlotte, NC 28231. A special thanks is given to the staff of Huntersville Oaks for their care of Mr. Davenport.
J.B. Tallent Funeral Service & Crematory, 1937 Sharon Amity Road, Charlotte (704) 567-1500 is serving the family of Mr. Davenport.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Charlotte Observer on Aug. 14, 2006.

Memories and Condolences
for Cleveland Davenport

9 Entries

Beth Austin Phillips

August 25, 2006

Cleve was one of my favorite people. He called me "Georgia man" I enjoyed spending time with him while mom and dad were in choir practice. We would talk and we laughed a lot...I loved to hear him laugh. I would sit there with him at his desk and also do my homework..he was genuinely interested in my studies and would sometimes ask me questions regarding my schoolwork...he was a very intelligent man. I had the privilege of visiting with him at The Oaks several times and he didn't miss a beat..he knew exactly who I was...prior to Dad's death Dad would come and visit Cleve. Cleve always had a gospel radio station on with preaching and singing and you could see the joy in his face. The last couple of times that I saw him he stated that he didn't know why he was still here...he was ready to see Jesus..there is no doubt in my mind that Cleve has seen Jesus and is in heaven right now..laughing, singing and totally content and happy!!!

Linda Hoover McClain

August 18, 2006

I send love to you and your family. God will continue to bless you and keep you.

Joe Austin

August 15, 2006

I used to stay late on Wednesday nights @ FBC while my father was in choir practice. There were several of us kids in the same boat so the church organized some supervised activities at the activity center across the street from the sanctuary. I left those activities early & regularly to go visit w/ my friend Cleve Davenport in the main lobby. We had some great conversations about pretty much any topic one could imagine. The spirit of Cleveland H. Davenport will never leave those of us who were fortunate enough to know him. He was an extremely great, insightful, and intelligent man.

Emory Austin

August 15, 2006

From the time we joined First Baptist 40 years ago, Cleve was always there with a smile and a "fine, how're you?" Not only was he vigilant in his dutues, but he probably knew more about what was going on in the lives and values of our members as individuals than any other member ever has. You leave a "hole" here on earth, dear Cleve, but you've added a "whole" lot to Heaven.

Michael Rickenbaker

August 14, 2006

Cleve was a very special member of the Rickenbaker and Moss extended family at FBC.

Gordon Benton

August 14, 2006

Cleve was a very dear friend and mentor to me. As I would wait for my parents to pick me up from my music lessons each week, we would pass the time with deep discussions about the issues of life, in general. Cleve was a philosopher, theologian, teacher, psychologist, and a much needed friend and counselor to a teenager such as I was during the tumultuous sixties. And, I know that the Lord mightly used my friend, Cleve, to help direct my path into His service. God bless you, Cleve. I'll see you in the morning. Rev. Dr. Gordon N. Benton-Director of Church and Community Relations, Mars Hill College, Mars Hill, N. C.

Margaret Neeley

August 14, 2006

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Chris Frye

August 14, 2006

Cleve was always there with a smile and that infectious laugh. What a rejoicing there will be in heaven as all those he touched over the years come through the gates and find him sitting there waiting, just inside the door.

Patti Coleman

August 14, 2006

Cleve was a very special person to all of my family. My mother, Betty Estes, was especially fond of him. The times she spent with Cleve helping him to learn to read enriched her life immeasurably. He will be remembered by many, many people.

Showing 1 - 9 of 9 results