Johnnie Louise Davenport

Johnnie Louise Davenport, age 78, of Meridian, passed away on February 16, 2021 in Waco.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 27, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Lawson Funeral Home in Meridian. Rev. Kenneth Hamilton will officiate. Visitation will be held at Lawson Funeral Home also on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until service time. Burial will follow at the Morgan Cemetery in Morgan.

Johnnie was born into the lives and love her of parents, Gladys O. Holloway and Harvey Lee Davenport, Sr. on August 22, 1942 in Meridian.

Johnnie attended the small one room school right across the street from their home. Her teacher from grade 1 through 8 was Mrs. Mary Crawford. In order to attend high school for grades 9th through 12th, she would have to bus daily to Hillsboro to attend all black school there. She obtained her diploma from Peabody High School. 

Johnnie was affiliated with the Meridian Cumberland Church located right across the road from her home. She became a member at an early age and this is where she was talented enough to learn to play the piano under the watchful eye of Mrs. Ella Robinson. Johnnie would spend most breaks during the summer to be a delegate at and attend many church meetings.

As she was growing up, she however did get to do jobs to earn money, including going to her grandfather, Arbra Holloway’s farm to chop weeds in the corn and cotton fields, and when it was time to harvest the cotton, there was picking and pulling to be done.

Johnnie was able to attend Bishop College where she received her certificate for cosmetology. She soon moved to Fort Worth to be with her paternal grandmother, Mrs. Margie Davenport. Johnnie then decided to go into the health care field, thus obtaining her LVN license. She would go on to work for over 50 years as a nurse. Her career enabled her to work at most of the hospitals in the Fort Worth and surrounding areas. She was affiliated with the Historical Sunshine Presbyterian Church in Fort Worth where she served faithfully until her health declined.

Johnnie was faithful to help her family and anyone in need in whatever capacity she could.  She was a wonderful cook and you could always expect to eat a meal if you were in her home for any length of time.

Johnnie cared for her dying mother in 2013 and after her mother's demise, her health began to fail, and it was evident that she needed to be closer to family. She relocated to Meridian and soon she and her sisters, Frances and Sue, were living in the home place. 

Left to cherish her memories are her sisters, Frances Sadler and Margaret Sue Davenport; aunt, Faye Clay of Cleburne; many cousins, nieces, nephews, co-workers and special friend, Judith Collins.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Harvey Lee Davenport, Sr., and Gladys O. Holloway; sister, Earnestine; brothers, Harvey Lee Davenport, Jr., and Bobby Jack; brother-in-law, John W. Sadler; and sister-in-law, Mary Louise Davenport.

Arrangements were entrusted to Lawson Funeral Home, Meridian, Texas 254-435-2792.