Velma Matthews Parrish Davenport

Velma Matthews Parrish Davenport, 99, of East Ridge, TN passed away Sunday May 15, 2016. Born August 29, 1916 to the late Mr. M.H. Matthews and Serena Anderson Matthews in Oneida, TN, she was a resident of Lakeview, GA most of her life before moving to McMinnville, TN in 1978. Velma was a member of McMinnville First Baptist Church, where she was active in Sunday School, W.M.U. and Reflectors. She was also a Red Cross volunteer. She is preceded in death by her husband, former Mayor of McMinnville, Ulus Davenport; son, Randy Parrish; daughter, Judy Miller; son-in-law, George Miller; step-son, Royce Davenport; granddaughter, Wendy Parrish Bowen; great-grandson, Bryan Grant; brothers and their wives, Doyle (Gusta) Matthews, Winfred (Jean) (Lois) Matthews, Cadwell Matthews, Belmont (Mable) Matthews, Lenial (Reba) Matthews, and Jack (Laura) Matthews. She is survived by her daughter, Lynita (C.L.) Brown of Rossville, GA; step-daughter, Alvida Woody of Columbia, TN; step-son, Woody (Jeanette) Davenport of McMinnville, TN; step-daughter-in-law, Patti Davenport of McMinnville, TN; brother, Franklin (Mary) Matthews of Marietta, GA; sister-in-law, Alice Matthews of Chattanooga, TN; five grandchildren, Vera Simpson, Paul (Debbie) Miller, Jenny Grant, Tammy (Drew) Whatley, and Randy Brown; six step-grandchildren, Rad (Lauren) Davenport, Michelle (Jay) DePass, Rocky (Jane) Davenport, Angela (Boyd) Ramsey, Ray (Kim) Woody, and Jane Woody; several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. The family would like to say a special thanks to the caregivers of Southern Heritage, NHC of Ft. Oglethorpe, Hospice of Chattanooga, and Dr. Abduhl Eletr. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. (EST) Wednesday, May 18, 2016 in the Wilson Funeral Home Wallis-Stewart Chapel in Ringgold, GA with Rev. Lebron Matthews and Bro. Ralph Long officiating. Interment will follow at Tennessee-Georgia Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. until time of service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Reflectors Group at McMinnville First Baptist Church, 403 N. Spring St., McMinnville, TN 37110. Arrangements are by Wilson Funeral Home Wallis-Stewart Chapel Ringgold, Georgia.