Wilma Davenport

Wilma Washam Davenport went to sleep and woke up in heaven on June 16, 2024. She passed peacefully at home in Seymour, Tennessee. Born February 18, 1943, she was 81. She was a member of Island Home Assembly of God where her parents were charter members. Wilma served as treasurer, organist, and Sunday School teacher at Island Home. More recently, she attended Seymour Christian Church. A graduate of Young High School, she finished in the top ten of her class. Prior to retiring, she worked as general manager of Kelso Oil Company in Knoxville, Tennessee. She enjoyed working in her yard and flowers, reading, solving sudoku puzzles, and she was a wonderful cook. The food spread at Wilma’s house on holidays were incredible. She also loved road trips. Some of her favorite places she visited were a South Carolina tea plantation and North Myrtle Beach, Niagara Falls, Mount Rushmore, the Kennedy Space Center, the Outer Banks, Key West, Florida and Helen, Georgia. Nothing gave her more joy than her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, C.E. Washam and Marlenia Redman Washam. She is survived by her husband of fifty-two years, William “Bill” Davenport, three sons, Fred Staley, Jr., wife Debbie, Richard Staley, wife Raquel, and Brian Staley, wife Suzanne; six grandchildren, Christopher Staley, wife Leslie, Ethan Staley, wife Shelby, Tyler Staley, wife Jada, Hannah Staley, Keith Staley, and Scott Staley; two great-grandchildren, Lillian Staley and Davenport Staley; one special sister, Peggy Washam Neff, and several dear nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Friday, June 21 from 4-7 p.m. at Berry Highland South Funeral Home in Knoxville, Tennessee, with the service to follow. Pastor Patrick Koster officiating. The family will gather at Berry Highland South Cemetery in Knoxville, Tennessee, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 22, for the graveside service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Seymour Community Church, 994 S. Old Sevierville Pike, Seymour, Tennessee, 37865.