Gwendolyn Davenport

Gwendolyn Patricia Morris Davenport was born on August 13, 1950, to Ida Jewell Heaggans Morris and Howard Watson Morris in Bee Branch, Arkansas. Gwen was the oldest of two daughters. In 1952, she and her family moved to St. Louis, MO, where she graduated from Beaumont High School and later from Harris-Stowe State College.

Gwen was a member of Mercy Seat Baptist Church in St. Louis, where she also sang in the choir. It was at Beaumont High School that Gwen met her future friend, life partner, and husband, Riley Davenport Jr. In January 1969, she married Riley Jr., and from their union, their son Darris was born.

Motherhood was something Gwen thoroughly enjoyed. She was known for her cooking, which she learned from her mother, and for making sure that anyone who came to visit was well-fed before they left. Gwen was also known for being the biggest cheerleader at Darris’ athletic events. No matter the sport—indoors or outdoors—he could always tell where she was sitting.

Gwen embraced a new role as grandmother in 2008. To say she was ecstatic is truly an understatement. When she met her second grandchild in 2009, she was over the moon. Gwen had looked forward to becoming a grandmother for years and embraced the role like no other. Affectionately called “Granny,” she quickly developed a special bond with her grandchildren. Gwen was incredibly proud of them and bragged about them every chance she had.

Gwen loved her family, was a caring friend, and maintained an upbeat spirit through her final days. She was called home to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, June 16, 2025, at St. Louis University Hospital.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ida Jewell and Howard Morris. She leaves to cherish her memory: her son, Darris Davenport Sr. (Dawn) of Aurora, CO; two grandchildren, Darris Davenport Jr. and Devyn Davenport, also of Aurora, CO; her sister, Linda Sackeyfio of St. Louis, MO; her lifelong friend and former husband, Riley Davenport Jr. of Denver, CO; her aunts, Dorothy Morris of Las Vegas, NV; Cleatress Scott of Omaha, NE; and Gertrude Black of Kansas City, KS; her uncle, Elbert Heaggans of Little Rock, AR; her nephews, Calvin Davenport Jr. of St. Louis, MO, and Julian Davenport of Dallas, TX; along with a host of loving relatives and wonderful friends.