Obituary of Loretta C. Davenport

Loretta Corinthia Davenport (née Moore) was born September 11, 1939, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the daughter of the late Christine Clark Moore of King William County, Virginia, and Haywood R. Moore of Elizabeth City, North Carolina.

Affectionately known as “Rett,” Loretta was a graduate of the Philadelphia High School for Girls who went on to major in nursing at the Community College of Philadelphia. She received a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies and a Master of Arts in Elementary Education, both from Norfolk State University. She was a licensed RN and held a Virginia Teaching certification.

A lifelong learner and avid student, Loretta’s education honors include Dean’s and National Dean’s Lists, Golden Key National Honor Society, Alpha Kappa Mu, Beta Kappa Chi, and Phi Theta Kappa academic honor societies.

At the age of 19, she married James Robert Davenport, III, who predeceased her.

Loretta began her nearly 50-year career in the nursing field as a staff nurse at Philadelphia General Hospital. Over the years she acted as a charge nurse, nursing supervisor, and the Program Manager of the Traumatic Brain Injury Unit at Virginia Beach Health Care & Rehabilitation Services. Most recently, she was an MDS Coordinator at several area rehabilitation facilities. She was a hard worker and respected leader who enjoyed serving and helping others.

Loretta was a gifted artist who loved to paint and draw, particularly trees and butterflies. She collected elephant figurines, enjoyed crocheting, and spoiled her staff nearly every day with fresh baked goods. Her prize sweet was German chocolate cheesecake. Doing jigsaw puzzles was another favorite pastime. In her younger days, she loved to dance and whip everybody’s butts in video games.

Loretta was happiest when she had a house full of family gathered around for a special meal.

At peace with God, Loretta passed away peacefully from natural causes and was found on March 14, 2024. Remaining to cherish her memory are her brother and sister-in-law, Lawrence Thomas Moore and Stephanie Alvarez Moore; four children, Stephen Michael Davenport, Shari Lynne Neely, James Robert Davenport, IV, and Shanna Thomas, their spouses Heidi Davenport, Clarence Neely, and Tina Davenport; grandchildren Michael Mahammitte, Alexander Davenport, Tianja Davenport Grant and her husband Wilfred, Robert J. Wilkes, III, Cameron Wilkes, Jazmine Leshée Freeman, Déjah Doris Sanée Alston, Justin Rollins and his wife Quanesha, and Jayden J. Davenport; her two great-grandchildren Gavin Jesse Grant and Quinn Copeland Grant; and a host of family and friends.

She referred to her grandchildren lovingly as sugarbunch, honeybunch, and babybunch. Her great-grandchildren called her Gramma the Great.

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” ~Psalms 34:18