Sybil Harris Davenport

Sybil Harris Davenport, age 93, died peacefully August 22, 2016 while under the care of the kind and compassionate staff at Hospice of the Piedmont following an extended illness. Sybil was born in Durham, NC on June 21, 1923 as the oldest of three children of Elisha Carter and Myrtle Violet Hessee Harris. She attended Duke University and graduated with a degree in music, teaching piano during her years as a student. Sybil met and fell in love with her future husband Preston “Pete” Ernest Davenport who was a UNC student boarding at their home and they married during his service in the US Navy during World War II. With their first child Jane they moved to Greensboro where they remained and raised five children.

Sybil devoted her time and energies first to her family, but maintained her love for music singing in the choir at First Presbyterian Church for over 30 years. She and Pete took up tennis and became a formidable mixed doubles team often winning against younger and more accomplished opponents who could not solve their effective though unorthodox styles. She continued to play tennis into her early 80’s. She loved all sports and was an advocate and avid supporter of all of her children’s athletic pursuits. Being a Duke grad among a family of second, third and fourth generations of Tar Heels, Sybil enthusiastically held her own during all the heated battles of the two rivals.

As her five children grew up, married and had children of their own, Sybil continued to bestow her love and support-first to her 11 grandchildren, and then to her 18 great-grandchildren. Every summer vacation became a family reunion featuring stories, games, and fabulous food, especially her cakes. In later years, Sybil and Pete traveled extensively sometimes including the five siblings and their spouses, instilling in them a love for adventure and exploration. She lost her beloved Pete in 1992 after 48 years of marriage.

Sybil was also predeceased by her parents and her brother E.C. Harris, but is survived by her sister Lena Harris Moylan of Coral Gables, FL. Her five children celebrating a life well-lived are Jane Davenport Scott, Preston “Pete” Ernest Davenport, Jr. (wife Ann), and Carter Fleming Davenport (wife Beth) of Greensboro, Carol Carter Davenport (husband Ron Orlosky) of Hilton Head, SC and John Robert Davenport (wife Peggy) of Lithia,FL. Her grandchildren with fond memories and stories of growing up with Sybil are Sidney Scott Draughn, Susan Scott Dowell, Christine Scott Reid, Pender Davenport Hollmeyer, Preston Ernest Davenport, lll, William Lawrence Dunst, Catherine Dunst Perez, Carter Fleming Davenport,ll, Barclay Wulff Davenport, John Robert Davenport, Jr, and Elisha Carter Davenport. The family also wants to thank Chuck Scott for his many kindnesses and help over the last several years.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Thursday, August 25th at the home of Ann and Pete Davenport at 306 Wentworth Drive, Greensboro, NC. The celebration of her life will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, August 26 at First Presbyterian Church in Greensboro. Following the service, the family will gather with friends in the Gilmore Room.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of choice.

Online condolences may be made through www.haneslineberryfuneralhomes.com.