James "Jim" Davenport

James "Jim" Davenport, 84, of Jacksonville, AL passed away on October 3, 2025, after a brave battle with cancer. His life will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at Anniston Memorial Funeral Home with Christian Sutherland officiating. Visitation will be held at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. Jim will be laid to rest in Anniston Memorial Gardens following the service.
Born February 18, 1941, in Jackson, TN, Jim, or Jamie as he was known as a child, lived in Medina, TN on the family farm. He attended Jackson High School where he played football with passion and grit. He remained a football fan his whole life and enjoyed cheering on his favorite teams - University of Memphis, Auburn University, Chicago Bears and any team his grandchildren played on. Jim was always showing up and cheering on his children and grandchildren in a wide variety of activities from ballet to baseball to marching band.
As someone who always liked numbers (he could do a difficult sudoku puzzle in under 7 minutes), Jim worked in accounting and finance at various hospitals and companies and went on to manage several credit unions throughout his career. He also embraced technology and, in 1968, installed the first computer system at St. Joseph's Hospital in Memphis, TN.
An avid photographer, Jim had a remarkable gift for finding beauty. From family gatherings to nature to war reenactments, his camera was never far from reach. Jim's photographs weren't just images - they were stories and memories, a lasting gift to those he leaves behind. He enjoyed sharing that gift by teaching photography classes and even operating a camera store for a period of time.
Jim never met a stranger and will be remembered for his gift of conversation and storytelling. He loved Westerns, crossword puzzles, golf, the mountains and good food. Most of all Jim loved his family and those he considered family.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, James and Evelyn Davenport; son-in-law, Charles Davis; and stepdaughter, Sabrina Robertson.
Those left to cherish the memory of Jim include his wife of 32 years, Betty Davenport; sister, Rosemary Blose (Tom); sister-in-law, Nina Gilbert (Dave); daughters, Julie Davenport Davis and Donna Davenport Hilliard (Robert); stepdaughter, Felicia Reynolds (Reggie); stepson, Randall Brickhouse; his grandchildren, Benjamin, Jonathan, Gabriella, Samuel, Whitney, Brock, Madison, Bethany, Dillon, Amy, Rustin and Mallory; his eight great-grandchildren; and large extended family. All will miss Jim's laughter and love.
The family will accept gifts of flowers or memorial contributions to Jacksonville State University Department of Art and Design, Friends of Visual Arts at https://www.jsu.edu/art/fova/index.html.
Online condolences to the family at: www.annistonmemorial.com
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