Betty Joyce Davenport Smith

McMinnville, TN resident and Warren County, TN native Betty Joyce Davenport Smith, age 85, was born August 20, 1936 and died May 18, 2022 at NHC Healthcare in McMinnville, TN following an extended illness. She retired, after 30 years, from Rockford Textile Mill and she sat with the elderly for 25 years. She spent 20 years researching the Davenport family genealogy and it gave her great pleasure to talk history. Ms. Smith kept children in the nursery at First Baptist Church for 30 years and everyone’s baby was “her baby”. She was a member of Madison Street Baptist Church from 1938 until 1956 and First Baptist Church from 1956 until her death. She was the daughter of the late Raydon Coleman and Elsie Blanks Davenport. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by sister, Dorothy Jean McClung and nephew, Coleman LaVoy “Tiger” Vinson. Ms. Smith is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Joe Martin of the Centertown Community; son and daughter-in-law, Randal and Cindy Smith of McMinnville, TN; grandchildren, Sonjia (Shannon) Smith of McMinnville, TN, Jason (Charlotte) Wright and Joel Martin, both of the Centertown Community, Shannon Martin of Murfreesboro, TN and Christie Davis of Summitville, TN; great-grandchildren, Shayla Smith, Logan Smith and Samson Wright; several other great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters-in-law, Joe and Faye Davenport and Jerry and Linda Davenport, both of McMinnville, TN; nieces, Keri Davenport of Nashville, TN and LeeAnne (Bill) Brewer and Wanda (Tom) Vaughan, both of McMinnville, TN; nephews, Jay Davenport and Earl McClung, both of McMinnville, TN; bonus granddaughters, Christine Steinmann, Hallie Morris and Paige Coppinger and bonus grandson, Jackson Coppinger. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 20, 2022 in High’s Chapel with Bo Hendrix officiating. Burial will follow in Gardens of Memory Cemetery in Warren County, TN. Visitation will be Thursday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Friday from 9:00 a.m. until time of service at High Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.highfuneralhome.com. High Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.