Laura S. Davenport

May 19, 1931 - May 14, 2005
Laura Sexton Davenport, 73, died Saturday resting at her home surrounded by family.
Mrs. Davenport was born and raised in Zebulon, NC the daughter of the late Milton James and Laura Doub Sexton. Her sisters preceded her in death: Edna Earl Hadley, Greenville, NC; Elizabeth Swain, Wilmington, DE.
She graduated from Greensboro Women's College in Music(53') prior to moving to Smithfield, NC where she met her husband the late Charles Wilbert Davenport of Roper, NC. Laura was the Director of Music (retired) First United Methodist Church of Wilson, NC where she taught choirs, directed handbells and played the organ for many occasions during her 34 years of service. This is where she met the wonderful church members who have supported her during her short illness. One of her last performances was in February 2005 playing for the Wilson Playhouse version of the "Sound of Music". It is only fitting that her illness came after completing a musical that spoke to the life she truly lived and passed on to her many students.
Her survivors include a daughter of the home, Laura Ann Davenport; her sons, Bert Davenport and Teresa, Christen and Brittany Winstead of Wilson, Joseph and Donna Davenport of Raleigh; Blake and Margaret Davenport of Wilson; grandchildren include Jonathon Davenport of Wilson, Zachary and Bradley Davenport of Raleigh; brother and sister-in-laws, Joseph Davenport of Newport News, VA, Ann Wrzos (Chet) of Madison Heights, VA, Alice Strickland of Dallas, TX, Eva Haggai-Abowitt of Carlsbad, CA, Coe Spence (Chuck) of Newport Beach, CA, Mary Lassiter (Ted) of Durham, NC; nieces and nephews include, Faye Brady (David) of Rocky Mount, NC, Milton Hadley (Carol) of Roxboro, NC, Scott Swain (Donna) of Wilmington, DE, Laura Bruce Nichols (David) of Greenville, NC, Debbie Guinan (Chuck) Wilmington, DE, Linda DiIorio (Bill) of Hockessin, DE, David Strickland (JoAnn) of Springfield, VA, Jil Strickland of Houston TX, Tal Lassiter (Mary) of Columbia, SC.
A Memorial service will beheld 4:00 p.m. Wednesday at First United Methodist Church, 100 Green St. Wilson, NC. The Rev. Rick Clayton and Rev. Bill Presnell will officiate. The music will be provided by organist Jessica Satterfield and Bill Hayes, a very close friend, and the First United Methodist Church Chancel Choir.
The family will receive friends after the service at First United Methodist Church-Asbury Hall and other times at the home.
Memorials may be directed to First UMC-Wilson Endowment Fund in memory of Laura, P.O. Box 1423 Wilson, NC 27893.
The family would like to thank Janie, Kim, Linda and the staff of Community Homecare and Hospice and all the Wilson Community for the kind, loving and thoughtful care that was given to our mother.
Condolences may be sent to the Davenport Family via email at: wilsonmemservice<\@>aol.com
Arrangements by Wilson Memorial Service, 2811 Fieldstream Drive, Wilson, (252) 237-7171.