Stephen Walker Davenport

Rev. Stephen Walker Davenport, age 83, of 1528 N. Tremont Drive, Asheboro died peacefully in his home surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, September 12, 2010. Mr. Davenport was born July 27, 1927 the son of Stephen F. and Emmie Chambers Davenport. Rev. Davenport was a native of Columbus, GA and a Naval Veteran of WWII. He gave his life to Christ at age 19 and then spent all his years loving others in His name. He was a graduate of Mercer University and received his Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He was ordained at Eastern Heights Baptist Church in Columbus, GA. He served as a missionary to Argentina for 26 years and founded and pastored the Spanish Mission of the Randolph Baptist Association in Asheboro. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, antiquing and spending time with his family and friends. He stayed busy doing home projects as he was quite the handyman. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by siblings: Lillian DeKok, Elizabeth Raines, William Davenport and one grandson: Johnny Cole. He is survived by his wife: Bonnie Pearce Davenport; daughter and her husband, Kathryn and David Cole of Fayetteville, NC; daughter and her husband, Sheila and Len Hedgecock of Graham, NC; son and his wife, John and Sarah Davenport of Spartanburg, SC; daughter: Shirley Davenport of Raleigh, NC; daughter and her husband, Patricia and Mark Knight of Taylors, SC; sister and her husband, Grace and Ben Penton of Waverly Hall, GA; sisters: Frances Baker of Fayetteville, GA, Jane McGuire of Columbus, GA and grand children: Bryan Cole, Kristin Cole Huggins (Chad), Nathaniel, Leah and Ben Hedgecock, Joel Davenport (Amanda), Aaron Davenport (Jessica), Marisa Davenport, Gabriela Fittipaldi, Walker Davenport, Montana, Meagan, Samuel and Bonnie Knight and great grandchildren: Hunter and Alexandra Cole, Ethan, Alysia, Evan Huggins and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends Tuesday, September 14, 2010 from 6:00-9:00 pm at Pugh Funeral Home, 437 Sunset Avenue, Asheboro, NC. The funeral will be Wednesday, September 15, 2010 at 1:00 pm at Balfour Baptist Church, 1644 North Fayetteville Street, Asheboro with the Reverends Kenneth L. Reaves, Stephen "Bud" Parrish and John Divers officiating. Burial, with military honors provided by the Randolph County Honor Guard, will follow in Randolph Memorial Park, Asheboro. Memorials may be made to International Mission Board C/O Balfour Baptist Church, 1644 North Fayetteville Street, Asheboro, NC 27203 or to Hospice of Randolph, P.O. Box 9, Asheboro, NC 27204-0009