Edward LeRoy Davenport Sr. passed away peacefully in his home on Wednesday evening, September 27. 2023.

Most know him as LeRoy or Papa, so for the purpose of this eulogy, that is what he will be known as.

Papa was born in East Prairie, Missouri on March 27, 1936 to Amos and Nona Pearl Brown Davenport. He was the oldest of 12 kids, and after graduating high school in 1953, he joined the Army. During

his time as a soldier he was stationed in Germany and Italy, and upon returning home after his

service, he stopped in at an attorney's office and laid eyes on Lois Clark. They both knew at that

moment, they were going to spend the rest of their lives together. Lois was her given name;

however, Peggy was what she was known and loved as. Peggy and LeRoy: Granny and Papa.

They eloped on March 15th and soon had their two children, son, Edward LeRoy Davenport

Jr. (Dina) and daughter, Judy Angela Davenport Bedwell (Derek).

He studied at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary to become a pastor, graduating in

1980. He served on staff at churches in Bossier City, Louisiana; Commerce, Missouri; Benton,

Missouri; Dorena, Missouri, and dedicated his time to sharing the Good News of Jesus with

anyone he could. As he grew older and was unable to pastor as he once had, it was a common

occurrence for him to spend his days praying for those in his phone contacts, and then following

those prayers with either a phone call or text message to let you know that, "Jesus loves you,

and so do I."

Upon meeting Papa, one would shortly come to know two things: Jesus loves you and died for

you, and Granny was the love of his life. Of his many professional accolades, he ever so

proudly shared with those who had time to listen: He was most proud of being Peggy's husband,

Ed and Angela's dad, and Papa to all 7 of his grandkids (Hannah, Ethan, Michaela, Lauran,

Trey, Isaac, and Rachel) and 2 great-grandkids. (Karsen and Kaisley), as well as siblings, Amos, Jr., Eugene, Kenny, Darrell, and Nona Annetta.

After Granny passed in January of 2010, a piece of Papa went with her. He spent the next 13

years missing her and longing to be in the presence of his Savior. Papa's story can't be told

without Granny and the love he had for her. They were married for 51 years, just shy of their

52nd  wedding anniversary. His time on Earth without her came to an end on Wednesday,

September 27th, 2023. 2 Corinthians 5:8 says, "to be absent from the body, and present with

the Lord" and there is no doubt that upon departure from this life, he heard, "Well done, my good

and faithful servant."

Papa was buried at Missouri Veterans Cemetery on Tuesday, October 2, 2023 with full military honors.

The family had a private service apart from the burial.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, his son, four sisters, Mary Lou, Linda, Bonnie and Georgia and two brothers, Cletus and Clyde.

McMikle Funeral Home of Charleston was in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com.