Obituary of Mary Jane Davenport

Mary Jane (Brown) Davenport, the daughter of the late Deacon Eddie Shepard and Lelia Brown, was born May 30, 1930 in Cumberland, Virginia. She departed this life March 18, 2019 to spend eternity with the Lord. She was baptized at the age of eleven in Bethlehem Baptist Church, Cumberland, Va. under the Reverend Sam Henry Miller. On May 1, 1947 she was married to Ralph O. Davenport. They shared their lives for 63 years until his death in 2010. From this union 5 children were born. Deloris, Cynthia, Brenda, Ralph (Tony) and Rodney. Her early education began at Cumberland Training School. She later relocated to New Jersey and completed her education there. She was employed by Paterson Task Force as a Community Organizer and was later promoted to Coordinator of After School Studies Programs. Her career continued with the Paterson Board of Education where she served as an attendance officer and social services assistant. She retired in 1979 and returned home to Cumberland where she became involved in volunteer work and designing dresses for numerous weddings. Her love of the Lord and belief in the Word of God led her to teach Sunday school at Apostolic Holiness Church, Bible class at Bethlehem Baptist Church, Bible class and Sunday school at Mount Olive Baptist Church for many years. You could also find her on Sunday afternoons teaching the Bible to many young men at Beaumont Learning Center. When she could no longer attend church, she continued to hold prayer and Bible study in her home for friends and family. She is preceded in death by a daughter Deloris; brothers Wallace, Nelson, George, Benjamin and Joseph; sisters Lillian and Florine. She leaves to cherish her memories 2 daughters Cynthia Freeman and Brenda Stephens; 2 sons Ralph and Rodney; 10 grandchildren, Chantanette (Charles), Verraina, Justin, Lamar ,Aliyah, Taylor, Tajia, Rodney II ,Imani and especially Tara (who was devoted to calling her daily) ; 2 brothers-in law Shirley (Estelle) Davenport and Hayward Wimberly, a sister-in law Bettie Brown; a host of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.