Shirley May Davenport

Shirley May Davenport

90, of Farmington, passed away peacefully at home on March 6, 2026, with her husband of 67 years, Eugene Davenport, by her side.

Shirley was born on December 22, 1935, the fifth child of Ralph and Mae Kelly of Effingham. She was preceded in death by her siblings Ralph Kelley Jr., Betty, Bernice, Virginia, Bill, and Tom. She is survived by her sister Joyce Coleman and her husband Jim of Tennessee.

Shortly after graduating from high school, Shirley began her career with Sears & Roebuck Company. It was during this time that she met the love of her life, Eugene. Together they built a life centered on family, faith, and hard work. Shirley devoted many years to raising her sons. Later, she worked as a bookkeeper for Dewitt Isley in Paris until her retirement.

The lives of those around her were made rich by her tenderness, grace, and loving kindness. She will be fondly remembered for her Pinochle hustle, her incredible ability to grow beautiful gardens, and the green thumb that seemed to bring life to every plant she touched. Her keen organizational skills and methodical bookkeeping were hallmarks of her daily life, helping her support her husband in his engineering endeavors while devoting her love to her three sons and later devoting that same love to her grandchildren.

Shirley is survived by her husband, Eugene Davenport; her three sons and their families: Steve Davenport and his wife Lila of Pau, France; Doug Davenport, his wife Stephanie, and their son Wade Davenport of Prairie Grove; and Dave Davenport, his wife Holly, and their daughters Rheana and Braylee Davenport of West Fork.

A celebration of Shirley’s life will be held Wednesday, March 11, 2026, the Davenport family will accept family and friends from 2:00-3:00 pm and a service at 3:00 p.m. at Luginbuel Funeral Home in Prairie Grove, Arkansas.