Gladys Davenport

Gladys Davenport, age 88, of Meridian, passed away Saturday evening, April 26, 2014, at her residence.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, May 3, 2014, in the First Baptist Church in Meridian with Rev. Arthur King and Rev. Al Boatner officiating. Burial was in the Morgan Cemetery. Pallbearers were Eric Davenport, Ryan Davenport, Tyrone Davenport, Jordan Edwards, Miguel Estrada, and Juan Galindo. Honorary pallbearers were the Elders of CPC, Joe Allen, Willie Degrate, Bobby Pollard, and W. H. Pollard.

Gladys Oneita Holloway Davenport was born December 13, 1925, in Morgan, Texas. She was a daughter of the late Arbra Holloway and Bertha Mozell Holloway. She attended school in Morgan.

In her early life, she was affiliated with the Steel Creek Baptist Church. Gladys was married at an early age to the late Harvey L. Davenport, Sr. (deceased January 17, 1986). They lived in the Morgan Community and later moved to Meridian. She soon united with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and there she maintained her membership until her health declined. She was instrumental and faithful in all of the church's organizations. She was President of the Mission Society and her tenure with the CPC was 60 plus years. Gladys passion was clearly in the kitchen as she always wanted everyone to have plenty to eat.

Gladys worked for many of the local families, even rearing some of their children along with her own. Gladys was featured in an article in Texas Highways in June 2003 as "Meridian's Matriarch". Gladys was faithful to visit those she knew that were in the hospital or nursing homes. She loved her family and was blessed to have a large one.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her spouse, daughter, Earnestine, son, Harvey Lee, Jr., three sisters, Bertha Hunter, Vera Ward, and Lorene Sedberry Scott, and one son-in-law, John Sadler, Sr.

She leaves to cherish her memories, three daughters, Johnnie Louise Davenport of Ft. Worth, Frances Sadler of Clifton, Margaret Sue Davenport of Meridian; one son, Bobby Jack Davenport of Fort Worth; and daughter-in-law, Mary Louise Davenport, of Meridian; nineteen grandchildren, thirty-three plus great-grandchildren, and forty plus great-great-grandchildren; sister and brother-in-law, Faye and James Clay of Cleveland; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Thoughts and memories may be shared with the family at www.lawsonfuneralhome.net

Arrangements by Lawson Funeral Home, Meridian, Texas, 254-435-2792.