Carl Wayne Davenport, age 95, went home to be with his Lord Jesus Christ on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at
Woodland Terrace Assisted Living Facility in Saint Joseph, Michigan.
Born May 6, 1930, in Nashville, Tennessee, Carl was the son of the late Walter and Corbia (Todd) Davenport.
He married Myra Jane Agee on March 6, 1972, and together they made their home in Murfreesboro, Tennessee
until moving to Michigan in 2019 to be closer to their daughter and her family.
Carl grew up in Warren County, Tennessee and attended Oak Grove School through the eighth grade.
Committed to helping his father on the family farm, he completed high school by correspondence. After serving
in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1954, Carl earned his GED and went on to graduate Summa Cum Laude from
Union University in 1957. A lifelong learner, he later received a Master’s Degree from George Peabody College
of Teachers, and a Bachelor of Divinity and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Vanderbilt University.
Throughout his professional life Carl served in many roles, but his most cherished position was as chaplain at
the Alvin C. York Veterans’ Administration Medical Center in Murfreesboro where he ministered for 18 years
before retiring in 1998. His dedication continued as a volunteer chaplain on the hospice ward for an additional
14 years. Carl also gave generously of his time to Meals on Wheels, construction and disaster relief efforts, and
as a routine blood donor.
Carl always maintained a large garden from which many benefited. Other hobbies included traveling, camping,
solving jigsaw puzzles, and genealogy research. He published several genealogy books and made many friends
along the way who shared his passion for research. Carl was an active member of First Baptist Church in
Murfreesboro and continued to faithfully watch their services online after moving to Michigan. Even as he
aged, his servant heart remained evident as he faithfully provided care for his beloved wife, Myra.
Carl is survived by his wife, Myra; daughter, Carla (Kenley) Penner of St. Joseph, Michigan; and three
grandchildren: Erin Penner (Kenosha, WI), Alex Penner (Chicago, IL), and Ashley Penner (St. Joseph, MI). He
is also survived by his sister, Nova Todd Gray of Nashville, TN, and many nieces and nephews. He was
preceded in death by his brothers, David “Jack” Davenport and Walter “Chad” Davenport.
Visitation with the Davenport family will be at Woodfin Memorial Chapel on Saturday, January 17, 2026 from
10:00 am until the time of funeral services beginning at 11:00 am with Reverend Pam Pilote officiating. Burial
will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery near Morrison, Tennessee with family and friends serving as pallbearers.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Murfreesboro or Union University in Jackson,
Tennessee and an online guestbook for the Davenport family is available at www.woodfinchapel.com.