Virginia (Ginger) Lee Davenport, 76, of Silver City, NM died suddenly of natural causes on May 3, 2017 at her home.
Ginger had a unique beginning. She was born on September 30, 1940 in a funeral home that her family owned and operated in Kirbyville, Texas. She lived in Kirbyville until the age of 18 when she left to attend college, majoring in music at Baylor University in Waco, Texas.
It was there she met her future husband, Ernest (Ernie) James Davenport at a church dance. He was stationed in Waco for training as an Air Force Officer. At that dance Ernie somehow conspired to procure a homemade German-Chocolate Cake from Ginger for his birthday. All it took was one bite of that cake and he decided to marry her. They married on May 28th, 1960, and Ginger continued the tradition of baking a German-Chocolate Cake on Ernie's birthday for another 56 years.
Traveling far from her small town in East Texas, she soon became a citizen of the world living in Mississippi, Michigan, California, Tennessee, Okinawa, the Philippines, Florida, Washington State and Utah, where Ernie eventually retired from the Air Force. Ginger also attended business classes at Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ from 1967-69, which she would put to use later in her life.
Ginger loved to travel and explore the world around her. She had an open and generous spirit as well as a natural ability to make and keep friends everywhere she went. Wherever they were stationed for Ernie's Air Force assignments, they would travel and explore every inch of their local and regional communities, taking their children with them.
Ginger wore many hats in her life. She worked as a stay-at-home mom. When her children were in high school, she decided she wanted to prove herself "unemployable", however to her surprise she promptly landed a job as an Administrative Assistant for National Distribution Systems in Clearfield, UT and remained in that position for the next 10 years. Soon after she became a doting grandmother and a successful entrepreneur. She and her husband opened and ran a succession of businesses; first with The Wood Gallery in Kaysville, Utah, later Canyon Gallery and Framing in Fruit Heights, Utah, and finally Premium Fine Arts, which continues to be run from their home. Never one to slow down after retirement she became a real-estate agent for Keller Williams.
Ginger was a very talented pianist and organist and wherever she lived in the world, she would volunteer her services at a local church, sing in the choir, play the piano or organ for Sunday services and other events, and was always an active member of the church, volunteering her talents and time whenever and wherever she was needed.
She and her husband helped build and establish the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Fruit Heights, Utah, now called Mountain Road Presbyterian Church.
Her daughter, Laura Davenport-Reed and son-in-law, Johnny Reed moved to San Lorenzo, New Mexico in December of 2002. Ginger and Ernie made many trips down to southwestern New Mexico in their motor home over the past 14 years, and fell in love with the area. In 2015, they decided to make it their home as well, and bought a home in Silver City. They became members of Valley Community Church in Arenas Valley and close friends with pastor Nancy Curtis. Ginger quickly became involved in church activities, becoming the pianist, and volunteered in many aspects of her church and new community. She swiftly made many friends in Silver City and her motto was that she "never met a stranger".
Each and every Christmas for over 50 years, she and her husband would make hundreds of their special Christmas cookies called "Candy Bar Cookies" for many friends, neighbors, church members, and family. The cookies were always highly anticipated, and she would send them to friends and family all over the world. Some of you were privileged to enjoy them over the past few years, and then many more of you the past two Christmases.
To the many that have already expressed their condolences and sympathies over Ginger's passing, thank you, and to assuage all the many expressed worries, Ernie and his granddaughter Richelle (who has been in Candy Bar Cookie Training the last two years) are in possession of her recipe and believe they may be up to the challenge of baking and sending them out this year, and hopefully for many years to come.
Ginger is survived by her husband Ernie Davenport of Silver City, NM, her mother Minnie Watson Grizzell of Silver City, NM, her daughter and son-in-law, Laura Davenport-Reed and Johnny Reed, of San Lorenzo, NM, daughter-in-law Angie Burleson Davenport of Las Vegas, NV, grandchildren: Richelle Price of Silver City, NM; Jessica Price of Phoenix, AZ; Jared (Mathylen) Davenport of Washington, DC; Mitchel (Dylan) Davenport of Las Vegas, NV; and Taylor Davenport of Bella Vista, AK. She also leaves behind many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews, friends and her much-beloved cat, Ms. Biggles.
She was preceded in death by her father, Jack Watson, her stepfather, Edward Grizzell, and her son Mark Davenport.
Ginger has been cremated and the family is making plans for a Celebration of Life service later this summer in Silver City, NM. Condolences may be sent to the family in care of Ernest Davenport or Minnie Grizzell, 5 Fawn Court, Silver City, NM 88061. In lieu of any flowers, please make donations to the Valley Community Church in Arenas Valley, NM or the Grant County Humane Society in Silver City, NM.
Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels and Crematory "Trusted care for the ones you love" ~ 575-537-0777.
To send condolences, visit www.terrazasfuneralchapel.com.