Anita Jean Davenport was born March 16, 1952 to the parentage of Thomas Grays and Bettye Jean Woods in Dallas, Texas. She attended Dallas Independent School District graduating from South OakCliff High School Class of 1970.  She attended Prairie View A&M University, El Centro College, and D. Edwin Johnson Theology school earning a degree in Christian Education.

Anita has always been a server of others.  During her teenage and young adult years she served as a volunteer for Juanita Craft and the youth NAACP movement for social justice and equality.  She later married John Davenport and was blessed with one son, RodeRick Davenport. She played clarinet in the band at South Oak Cliff High School, graduating class of 1970. Anita lived the majority of her life in Dallas TX. She temporarily relocated to Norfolk VA during her former husband's naval deployment. Later she chose to live in Minneapolis, MN to be close to her father. She returned to Dallas, Tx where she lived until relocating to Houston TX to be near her son and his family.

Anita was a member of Moring Star MBC where she was accepted Christ and was baptized.  She later joined Rose of Sharon MBC under late Pastor Hardin L Ward Sr.  Upon the passing of the Senior pastor, she joined Antioch MBC under the late Dr. Kerry D. Wesly as pastor.  Here she served as a faithful Usher and Voice of Praise Choir member for 15years.  When health began to fail, she moved to Houston to be near her son where she became a member of Mt. Corinth MBC under Pastor Alan Patterson.  She believed in living Life, Loving others and Laughter.

Anita's greatest pleasure was singing in the choir and serving as an usher.  She loved to travel when she could and enjoyed spending time with her son and his family in Houston. Anita drew her strength from sermons, gospel music and studying spiritual and devotional material. She was a major supporter and cheerleader of sporting events, music programs and anything involving her family members and friends. She loved to cook and was the first one to volunteer her home for our yearly Thanksgiving dinner when her mother could no longer host.  Anita impacted so many people with her smile and personality.  She believed in everyone and was often leaned upon for listening and comfort. She will surely be missed and cherished by a host of family and friends.

Anita was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Grays and Bettye Jean Woods, Brother: Robert Grays, Sisters: Michelle Grays, and Etta Francine Parker,

Those left to cherish Anita's memory, Son: RodeRick Davenport(Tameisha), Granddaughter: T'eRicka Davenport, Imani Davenport, and Ria Davenport, Grandsons: D'eRick Davenport and Zachary Penrice II, Sister: Debra Luckey, Brother: Richard Grays with a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends.