Alice Baker Davenport

Mrs. Alice Baker Davenport departed this life on Friday, March 1, 2002 at the age of 93 years old. Born in Coltsville, Pennsylvania on October 11, 1908, Alice O’Neil Baker was the last child born to the late Mary Katherine Hamlette Baker and John Henry Baker. Her life was changed drastically while still an infant, when her mother, Mary Katherine died. Thereafter, her formative years were spent between Darlington Heights, Virginia and in the community of Germantown in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Initially she was reared by her father and her sister, Virginia and later a stepmother. Eventually she lived with “Aunt Amanda” Whitley and “Cousin Lelia” Pugh Harris in Philadelphia, where she attended public school. Around the age of 13years, her sister Alma brought her to Baltimore. In 1925 she attended a boarding school in Lynchburg, Virginia. Later she moved to Annapolis, Maryland, where she attended and graduated from Stanton High School in 1930. She attended Virginia Seminary. Although she liked school, she knew after attending for two years, she often remarked that completing seminary was not for her. Eventually in the 1930’s, she married Howard Wright, who later preceded her in death.During the late 1940’s she moved to Baltimore, Md. In the late 1950’s, she married William Davenport who also preceded her in death. Ant Alice, as she was affectionately called, loved life. She loved people and opened her home to so many through the years. Her roots were deeply imbedded in spirituality with a strong sense of family. Although she had no children of her own, she was a mother, friend and mentor to so many. She demonstrated so much honor, devotion and love to her siblings Henry, Virginia, Alma, Estelle and Minnie, Louise, Christine, Eugene, Annie, Branch and Quincy. She often spoke with concern and love when she conveyed her thoughts about Jeanette, Lillian, Selma, Alma, Emily, Mary, Joseph, James Nathaniel and Bea, her nieces and nephews. She especially cherished the bond with Selma, Lemuel, Carrie and Buck who were like daughters and sons. She loved to reminisce about family members and special family events such as the Hamlette, Baker and Pugh reunion. She shared with pride about going home to Virginia to the “Grande Setting.” Aunt Alice was known as a very strong-willed personality who was steadfast in her convictions up to the very last. She joined the Christian Temple Church in 1985, where she remained a faithful and dedicated member until her death. Throughout her life, she was always a very kind and giving person. She believed that if she helped somebody along the way that her living would not be in vain. She often said, “Let the work I have done speak for me.” She had a very keen mind and was a courageous and daring individual. She taught, by example, about praying without ceasing and saying that God will take care of her. She never feared defeat. She was a fighter and believer to the very end. Aunt Alice became a very special person to those who crossed her path. She will always be a legacy to family and friends. Aunt Alice leaves mourn: her remaining siblings, Christine Baker Parker, Louise Baker Watkins and Eugene Baker, all from Virginia; a sister-in-law, Alli G. Baker of Ohio; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Aunt Alice was especially fond of the following, who were especially attentive and caring during her illness: John (Buck) Watkins, Carrie Pulley, Anthony Pugh, Bessie Scott, Cordell Saunders, Rev. and Mrs. Ron Matthews, John Holt, Kimberly Harris, Selma Pettaway and Mary Bland.

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Alice Baker Davenport

October 11, 1908 - March 1, 2002