Belle Mae Gilley Davenport

Davenport Belle Mae Gilley Davenport, 93, died Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2009 in Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon. She was born in Ashe County, N.C., to the late James Webb Gilley and Oda Osborne Gilley. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Henry C. Davenport on Dec. 28, 1975, a son, Charles R. "Bob" Davenport on June 13, 2005, and a grandson, Charles R. Davenport Jr. on June 8, 1961. She was also preceded in death by three brothers, Woodrow, Bill and Russell Gilley, and three sisters, Pearl Lambert, Ruby Phibbs and Reba Hawks. She had been a member of Little Rock Baptist Church since its inception as a Baptist church. She served as Sunday school teacher for many years until her health began to decline. Her church and her family were her life. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend to her community. Survivors include one daughter, Helen D. Blevins and husband, Elmer; daughter-in-law, Cordia J. Davenport; two grandsons, Dickie Davenport and wife, Beth, and Brian O'Quinn and wife, Nancy; two granddaughters, Debra Lee and husband, David, and Patricia Davenport; three great-grandsons, Daniel Scott Robbins, Brandon O'Quinn, and Colby Davenport; two great-granddaughters, Kamiah Davenport and Sierra Davenport; three sisters-in-law, Penny Heath and husband, Preston, Shirley Walton, and Lucy Davenport; one brother-in-law, Gilbert Blevins; two nieces, Mickey Weikle and husband, Lionel, and Sharon P. Phibbs; three nephews, Rex Gilley and wife, Marlyne, Wade Gilley and wife, Nanna, Jim Lambert and wife, Daisey; and a host of other nieces and nephews. Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 1, at Bradley's Funeral Chapel with Elder Eddie Lyle and the Rev. Paul Jones officiating. Interment followed in the Lebanon United Methodist Church Cemetery. The family received friends Friday from 12 until 2 p.m. at the funeral chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, Texas 75231 or to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, PO Box 650543, Dallas, Texas 75265. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.bradleysfh.com Bradley's Funeral Chapel of Chilhowie was in charge of arrangements.