Josephine Davenport

Josephine Gillespey Davenport went to meet Jesus on June 12, 2026. Josephine, known as “Jo”, was a strong woman who loved her family, friends and her savior and LORD. Jo was born on October 5, 1928, in Nowata, OK to parents Joseph and Lucille Gillespey. She was the oldest of five sisters: Betty Jo Gray (deceased), Mary Lou Burdett, Judy Ann Jones, and Karen Kay Miller. She often spoke of her school years with fond memories of Nowata High Band where she played saxophone with an all male dance band. She loved telling stories about working at the Nowata Star, riding the trolley car to Coffeyville, KS. She was also proud of her Delaware ancestry with ties thru her great-great-grandfather, Isaac Journeycake, who was a brother to Chief Charles Journeycake. Josephine met her husband, James Allen Davenport (deceased), in Elmore City, OK, where she moved with her family after graduation in 1946. She was mother to three children, Cynthia Deleese James (Jim James) who preceded her in death, Colleen Renee’ Montgomery (Tom Montgomery), and Mark Anthony “Tony” Davenport (Janice), who had fond memories of their childhood. Jo graduated from Pampa General Hospital as an LVN in 1969. She built the first nursing home, “Twilight Acres”, in Pampa, Texas and was administrator for years of two homes. She then went on to work at both hospitals in Pampa. She loved gardening, sewing clothes when her children were young, traveling with Jim to various oil fields he worked, teaching Sunday school, and watching football. Josephine lived independently until September 2025, when she moved into her daughter’s home for closer supervision. She will be remembered for having a smile to share and her wonderful sense of humor. Josephine is also survived by four grandchildren: Alicia Donathan (DJ Mitchell), Cherity Walker (Bobby Walker), Amber Highfill (Randy Highfill), and Hope Littlefield (Jason Littlefield). She was preceded in death by her grandson Nathan Davenport. Over the years she had ten great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren, which she always enjoyed getting 5th generation photos with.

Josephine Davenport

October 5, 1928 - June 12, 2026