SPARTANBURG, S.C. - L. Mel Davenport, III, 62, a native of Spartanburg, died, September 17, 2008, at Spartanburg Regional Hospital. He courageously battled A.L.S., also known as Lou Gehrig's disease for the past four years. Born June 30, 1946 in Spartanburg, S.C., he is a son of Martha Wheaton Davenport and the late Luna M. Davenport, II. He graduated from Spartanburg High School and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of South Carolina. Mr. Davenport was retired from the Felters Group where he was Product Development manager. He was a member of Morningside Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, Martha Saul Davenport. He is also survived by his two children; a son, Drew Davenport and daughter- in-law, Mandy Davenport, of St. Simons Island, Georgia; a daughter, Elizabeth Davenport of Atlanta, Georgia; three grandchildren, Addison, Will, and Joseph Davenport, all of St. Simons Island, Georgia; two sisters, Barbara Morris and husband Harry, and Lee Crowe and husband George, all of Spartanburg, S.C.; a brother, Philip Davenport and wife, Laura, of Columbia, S.C. and several nieces and nephews. The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to Trena Shelton Rice, his caregiver and Spartanburg Regional Hospice for all of their love and support. There will be a graveside service on Saturday, September 20, at 10:00 A.M. at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens with the Reverend Dr. Kirk H. Neely, presiding. The family will greet friends following the service at graveside. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the South Carolina Chapter of the ALS Association, 1064 Gardner Road, Suite 101, Charleston, S.C. 29407. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.jmdunbar.com . Dunbar Funeral Home & Crematory. Sign the guestbook at AugustaChronicle.com
Published in The Augusta Chronicle on 9/20/2008