Sarah Thompson Lanier Davenport (Sally) was born on July 18, 1929 and departed from life on this earth August 12 2019.
Sally is survived by her two Sons, Malcolm Clifton (Cliff) Davenport V (Mary Ann Whatley), and Lanier Marchant Davenport Sr., along with one Granddaughter Sarah Byrd (Ryan) Vihlen, six Grandsons Malcolm Clifton (Lauren) Davenport VI, Alexander McKenzie (Helen Marie) Davenport Sr, Lanier Marchant (Bethany) Davenport Jr. Dixon Lanier (Michelle) Davenport, Steven Ray (Sarah) Davenport, and Jefferson Whatley Davenport. Twelve Great-Grand Children, Allison Kathryn Davenport, Helen Anne Davenport, Claire Elizabeth Davenport, Anna Rose Davenport, Alexander McKenzie Davenport Jr., Elijah Lanier Davenport, Evangeline Gwendolyn Davenport, Madeline Elizabeth Davenport, Mary Corinne Davenport, Isabelle Mary Davenport. Penelope Starr Vihlen, and Landon Marchant Davenport.
Sally was preceded in death by her husband “Mac” Malcolm Clifton Davenport Jr., her parents Campbell Brown Lanier Sr. and Bertie Thompson Lanier, her brothers Campbell Brown Lanier Jr., and James Smith Lanier II, and her sister Mary Lanier (John) Champion. She is survived by her sister-in-law Elizabeth Walker “Betty” (James Smith, II) Lanier, and numerous much-loved nieces and nephews.
Sally was born in the community of Egan, now East Point, Georgia, then moved to Tallassee, Alabama, where her father worked in textile mill management at both locations. Around 1934, the family moved to West Point where he joined his father in building and leading an expansion of the Interstate Telephone Company.
Sally graduated from West Point High School after completing the 11th grade. The 12th year was added the next year. She then attended Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia for two years before transferring to Auburn University where she was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority. While attending Auburn she met Mac to whom, along with her sons, she devoted her life.
When they moved from Opelika to Fairfax in 1951, Sally and Mac became members of the Fairfax First Christian Church. Moving to Lanett in 1968, Sally renewed her membership with Spring Road Christian Church and was diligent in her support and attendance until her health no longer permitted.
Her family will always be grateful to those friends and family who continued to visit as her mobility became difficult, and to caregivers who blessed us by assisting her during her last years including Isabelle Stephens, Antoinette Embry, Tollie Dunn-Armstead, Brenda Hamby, Wanda Ragsdale, and Annette Brown Freeman.
Her family is also deeply appreciative for the most recent care and attention from both the Nursing Staff at Arbor Springs Health & Rehab Center as well as Southern Care Hospice, both in Opelika.
Services will be at “her church,” Spring Road Christian Church, Lanett, Alabama, on Thursday, August 15, 2019.
Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM, and a memorial service in the Chapel will begin at 11:00 AM.
A family only graveside service at Pinewood Cemetery, in West Point, Georgia will follow. All will be under direction of Bluffton Funeral Services, in Lanett, AL.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Sybil’s Fund at Spring Road Christian Church, Lanett, AL 36863.
Bluffton Funeral Services of Lanett, AL is directing.
