Clara Davenport
Clara F. Davenport, 77, of Chattanooga, died on Sunday, December 27, 2015 at her home surrounded by her loving daughter, brother, sister and friends who were like her family.
She fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith and is now reunited with her husband, Rody Davenport and her mother, Essie Gross who she longed to see.
A lifelong resident of Chattanooga, Mrs. Davenport was retired senior executive vice president and chairman of the board of the Lupton Company where she began her career in the mid 50s alongside Thomas Cartter Lupton and his son, Jack Lupton.
She was a former member of East Ridge Baptist Church where she was a Sunday school teacher for many years before becoming a member of First Presbyterian Church.
Mrs. Davenport was chairman of the board at Tennessee Arts Commission and served on the board at the Aims Center, Girls Inc., Chattanooga Ballet, Kids on the Block, Chattanooga State Community College the Children’s Miracle Network Telethon and various other organizations.
Mrs. Davenport was preceded in death in 2011 by her husband Rodolph B. (Rody) Davenport III and her parents, Marvin and Essie Gross.
Mrs. Davenport’s greatest joy was giving to others and generously loving people from all walks of life. She especially loved her precious dogs, Ralph and Addy.
Survivors are her devoted daughter, Darlene Lane-Detman (Pat McGirt), Chattanooga; sister, Sylvia Kubic, Chattanooga and brother, Kenneth (Lynne) Gross, Sweetwater; several nieces and nephews, cousins, and aunt and uncle.
Services will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 30, at 2 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church with Reverend Jim Summers and Reverend Wallace Locklear officiating. Eulogy and remarks will be delivered by Kenneth Gross and Elaine Swafford. Burial will follow at Forest Hills Cemetery with Kenneth Kubic, Matthew Kubic, Chip Kubic, Rusty Munger, Gary Welch and Patrick Barfield serving as pallbearers.
The family would like to thank her caregivers. Alice Foster, Tracie Garrett, Emily Chavis, Avalon Hospice and Dr. Carroll Odom for their loving care and loyalty. Although it was a brief time, we thank you, Synovia Mack for your love and care. Words simply cannot express our heartfelt love and appreciation to each one of you.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Changed Lives at First Presbyterian Church or to the Alzheimer’s Association, 4825 Trousdale Drive, Suite 220, Nashville, Tn. 37220.
Visit www.heritagechattanooga.com to share words of comfort to the family and view the memorial tribute.
The family will receive friends from 4-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 29, at Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 East Brainerd Road.