Ms. Bessie D. Johnson Davenport was born on January 1, 1952, in Quincy, Florida, to Kirk Johnson and Georgia Mae Carr Sherman. She was a woman of grace, strength, and unwavering faith whose life touched many. Bessie received her early education in the Hillsborough County School District and graduated from Middleton High School, class of 1970. During her high school years, she proudly served as a dancerette for the band team, showcasing her vibrant spirit and love for performance.

She later continued her education at Paine College in Augusta, Georgia. Throughout her professional life, Bessie was dedicated and hardworking. She served in various roles including as a schoolteacher, bank teller, and mortgage loan officer, always demonstrating integrity and excellence in all that she did. At the age of 11, Bessie accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior and was baptized at St. John Progressive Missionary Baptist Church.

Her faith remained a cornerstone of her life, guiding her actions and inspiring those around her. Bessie had a deep appreciation for life and its many joys. She loved shopping, dressing elegantly, traveling, volunteering, and enjoying the finer things in life. Her presence was radiant, and she carried herself with dignity and style. She will be remembered as a loving, intelligent, optimistic, faith-filled and witty woman whose warmth and wisdom enriched the lives of family, friends, and all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Kirk Johnson and Georgia Mae Carr Sherman; brothers, Cornelius Sherman, Issac Reynolds, Curtis Johnson and Phil Barkley; and sisters, Lillier Bryant, Frances Barkley and Linda Sherman.

She leaves to cherished memories to her sons, Roddrick Davenport Sr. and Elgin Sherman; daughters, Shanethia Watson and Lashonda Sherman; grandchildren, Roddrick Davenport, Jr. (Nicole), Quenesha Davenport, Rolando Brown, Jr., Roddre Davenport, Quoddre Davenport, Roziah Davenport, E'moni Marshall and Marqueeze Beal; great-grandchildren, Elijah Jackson-Moore, Roddrick Davenport III, Gabriella-Nevaeh Davenport and Nicolas Davenport; brother, Clifford Sherman; sisters, Ethel Walden; a host of nieces, great-nieces, great-great-nieces, and great-great-great nieces; nephews, great-nephews, great-great nephews; and a host of cousins; along with childhood best friend and beyond, Gloria Williams-Pendleton; and close friends, Doris Jones, Mary Bradley, Linda Cruz-Brewton and Nedra Lawson.