Donald Gene Davenport

Donald Gene Davenport, age 89, of Hodgenville, passed away Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at his residence.

He joined Hodgenville United Methodist Church as a small child, where he sang in the church choir, served on every committee at one point and was one of the oldest living members.  He loved his church and Sunday School class, especially his Sunday School teacher, Prentiss Craft.

An avid golfer, he loved watching all sports, even more so if it was some of his family playing.

Donald was a 1954 graduate of Hodgenville High School, then attended Lindsey Wilson in Columbia and Union University in Jackson, TN on a basketball scholarship before being drafted in the US Army for a 2 year tour where he was introduced to the Ft. Gordon basketball coach who put him on the team, playing other bases all across the south.  Upon returning home to Hodgenville, he was hired at Gates Rubber Company as the personnel manager and later at Gates Tire Center until they ceased tire operations; at which time he began working for Southern States in Hodgenville for over 20 years.  After retiring from Southern States, he became a licensed Funeral Director for Bennett-Bertram and Dixon-Rogers Funeral Homes where he was a vital employee until retiring when his health no longer allowed him to work.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ivy and Maude Nunn Davenport; two sisters, Louise Herbert and Edna Mae Brown and five brothers, Leonard, Marshall, James, Carl and Edward Davenport.

Don is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 68 ½ years, Faye Lawson Davenport; two children, Donnita (Jody) Gaddie and Terry (Kelly) Davenport; two sisters, Virginia Benningfield and Mary Edith Peace; a brother, Roy (Bobbi) Davenport; the joy of his life, his seven grandchildren, Tara (John) Dixon, Justin (Deanna) Gaddie, Scott (Chelsea) Davenport, Tyler (Christina) Davenport, Ryan (Jana) Thompson, Andrew (Gabby) Thompson and Kourtnee (Josh) Jackson; sixteen great-grandchildren, Heath (Destiny), Emma, Jaxon, Mattie, Grayson, Bennett, Nolan, Teddy, Kamryn, Landen, Nash, Destiny, Kenzie, Kaela, Abby and Parker and a great-great-grandchild, Oakley.  Also surviving are special friends, Mark and Joyce Greenleaf.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 24, at Hodgenville United Methodist Church with Rev. Cameron Rash officiating and special music by Don’s nephew and his wife, Don and Rosemary Peace.  Burial will follow in Red Hill Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday and from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Donald’s pallbearers will be Justin Gaddie, Scott Davenport, Tyler Davenport, Andrew Thompson, John Dixon, Josh Jackson and Heath Thompson.

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