Waurika News Democrat,
Friday, January 12, 1940
Thursday morning at 10 minutes past 12, the death angel claimed Hastings' oldest resident and one of her pioneer citizens, Mrs. NANCY DAVENPORT.
Mrs. Davenport was a true daughter of the Old South. She carried her pride and dignity as only Southern women accustomed to wealth and slaves could. She never really became accustomed to, nor could understand, the Western ways of Texas and Oklahoma.
Mrs. Davenport took the flu in February 1935, and though she recovered from it, in three weeks her vitality was so sapped that she had to remain in bed the greater part of the time the rest of her life. Christmas dinner in 1938 was the last meal she ever ate with the family. She had been practically blind for the last 12 years, but was never heard to complain of her affliction. Her daughter, Mrs. Mary Spears, took such loving care of her that she looked like a young girl instead of an aged woman.
Nancy Jennings was born in Clark County, Georgia, March 10, 1841, and died Janurary 4, 1940, at her home in Hastings, at the age of 98 years, 9 months and 23 days.
On February 4, 1858, she and Seaborn L. Davenport were married by Rev. Henry W. Sheats. To this union were born 9 sons and 4 daughters, two of whom preceded her in death. Nine of the children were present at the funeral.
The family moved to Texas in 1881, then to Indian Territory in 1886. In 1906 they moved to Hastings where Mr. Davenport died Nov. 4, 1910. Since that time she has made her home with her son, Jennings B. Davenport. Her daughter, Mrs. Mary Spears, came to live with them and care for her mother 10 years ago.
She obeyed the gospel in 1895 and lived true to her Maker until the end of her life's journey.
Mrs. Davenport leaves to mourn her passing her children, Stillwell, Whit, and Sam of Duncan; Charley of Marlow; Weldon of Devine, Texas; Emmett of Garber; Marshall of Countyline; Mrs. Lillie Midkill of Midland, Texas; Mrs. Clara Fraser of Ardmore; Jennings "Buddy", and Mrs. Mary Spears of Hastings; 36 grandchildren; and a number of great-grandchildren, and some great-great-grandchildren and other relatives, and a host of friends who feel that their loss is heaven's gain.
Funeral services were conducted in the home Thursday afternoon at 3:30 by Elder Osteloh, assisted by Elder Clevenger of the Church of Christ. The body was interred in the Hastings cemetery by the side of her beloved husband.