Laurine Wright Davenport, 90, peacefully passed away May 21, 2020 at her daughter’s residence in Roswell, GA. She was born in Harris City, GA on April 28, 1930 the daughter of Wilsie Hall Wright and Triphenia Williams Wright. After completing her teaching degree at West Georgia College, Mrs. Davenport started her teaching career in Meriwether County where she met her husband, Roy Blake Davenport. They married in 1952 and lived several years in Florida where their son, David, and daughter, Susan were born. They moved to Gainesville, GA in 1963 where her husband was a pharmacist for many years at Imperial Pharmacy.
Mrs. Davenport completed her Bachelors Degree at North Georgia college and continued her teaching career at several Hall County elementary schools teaching 5th grade. In 1976, she completed her Master’s Degree in Special Education at North Georgia College. She spent the last 15 of her 30 year teaching career at Wauka Mountain Elementary School. Special Education was her passion. She was devoted to her students and was an advocate for them, praising their efforts and helping them learn a little more each day. She loved all the staff there and helped prepare many a chicken pie for the yearly fundraiser at Wauka Mountain. She was often the first teacher to arrive and one of the last ones to leave. She was well known for her honesty and integrity.
Mrs. Davenport made an impact on her community in many ways. She was a faithful member, first at Corinth Baptist and then, many years at First Baptist Church Gainesville. She was a Sunday school teacher, Vacation Bible School director, and a devoted member of the Gleaners Sunday school class. Her biggest joy was her many years of involvement with the Vietnamese Ministry at First Baptist. She loved all of the members, and they became her family. She served in various ways by helping members learn English, teaching them the Bible and teaching them how to navigate government agencies and doctor offices. She never drew attention to herself, but always put others first and gave a 100 percent to all she did.
Although, Mrs. Davenport faced many hardships especially the death of her beloved son, David at age 19, she kept on by volunteering many hours with Contact Teleministry and tutoring at Rehabilitation Industries of North Georgia. During her past few years in assisted living, she loved serving as an Ambassador and helped new residents feel at home. She also gave weekly devotionals for the Memory Care residents until she was no longer able to do so.
Mrs. Davenport enjoyed a close relationship with her daughter’s family. She would invite each granddaughter individually to her house where she prepared all their favorite foods including huge breakfasts with lots of biscuits and cinnamon rolls. She would tell each one of them. “When you are at my house, you are my favorite!” She also told them she would buy them anything they wanted—at the Dollar Store!! She was often teased by her family for her thriftiness, but it allowed her to be a faithful and generous giver to her church, family, and many others in need.
Mrs. Davenport is predeceased by her parents and siblings Agnes Fleeman, W.H. Wright, J.T. Wright, and Josephine Eichenberger. Also, her husband, Roy Blake Davenport, and son, David Wright Davenport
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Susan and John Purser of Roswell, GA; granddaughters Lauren Purser, Decatur, GA; Natalie Purser, Washington, DC; Shannon Purser, West Hollywood, CA; and Mary Grace Purser, Roswell, GA. Other survivors include her many beloved nieces nephews, and cousins, as well as her Vietnamese “Family”, and her “Second Daughter” Joan Boggs, and her husband, James.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in memory of Mrs. Davenport to be made to the Vietnamese Ministry of First Baptist Church Gainesville ; 751 Green Street NW ; Gainesville, GA 30501 or The Salvation Army.
Funeral arrangements are Tuesday, May 26, 2020 at 11:00am at Little Davenport Funeral Home chapel. Visitation is from 10-11am.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the funeral will be very limited in size. There will be social distancing and the family asks that attendees wear a mask. The family asks that anyone in a risk group to refrain from attending and watch on Facebook Live Stream at 11:00am The link is public, but you must be a Facebook member to watch live. The link is
https://m.facebook.com/lauren.purser2 Otherwise, you can view the funeral afterwards any time on YouTube: Laurine Davenport Funeral. The family will not be hurt if you watch from home.They want you to be safe!
Little & Davenport Funeral Home and Crematory, 355 Dawsonville Highway, SW, Gainesville, Ga. 30501 is in charge of arrangements.
