Helen became well known in the community as a basketball standout who had an illustrious career at Woodbury Central High School from 1957 – 1960, scoring 1,933 points and continuing to hold multiple records to this day. She was also part of the team that placed 3rd in the 1958 Tennessee State Tournament. Helen was awarded a scholarship in 1960 to play basketball for Nashville Business College, where she played with the most elite women’s basketball players of her time, including the first inductee into the National Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.
Helen was a true embodiment of service to her community and marked an extraordinary milestone in September 2023, celebrating an incredible 50 years of employment at the Woodbury Health and Rehab Facility. Her journey with the facility began in 1973 when it was still under construction. Throughout her five-decade career, Helen dedicated herself to assisting, caring for, counseling, loving, and comforting countless patients and their families.
Helen was an extraordinary mother in addition to being a nurturing caregiver, embodying the virtues of kindness, compassion, and selflessness in every aspect of her life. Her love and unwavering dedication extended far beyond her immediate family, embracing all who had the privilege of knowing her. She was a pillar of strength and a wellspring of guidance, creating a sanctuary of love and support for her immediate and extended family alike. Helen was a Godly woman and was always guided by doing the right thing by everyone and living a Christian life, which was so important to her.
Truly one of a kind, Helen’s infectious laughter, illuminating smile, and the powerful force of her love brought people together. The impact she left on countless lives is immeasurable, leaving enduring imprints on every heart she touched. While we, as her family, feel the profound void of her departure, we are eternally grateful for the boundless love she bestowed upon us, and for the profound impact she had on both our lives and those of our community. Helen will live on in our hearts, and all those she touched, serving as an eternal source of love and inspiration.
Preceding her in death were her husband, Robert Harold “Hoppy” Davenport; father, Elmer Hayes; mother, Lillian Lefevers Downing; stepfathers John D Harris and B. F. Downing; brothers Buddy and Billy Hayes, and sister-in law Virginia Hayes.
She is survived by her children, Cindy Davenport Taylor and husband Teddy Taylor of Woodbury, Tim Davenport of San Francisco, California; grandchildren Rachel Taylor Hall (husband Jeremy Hall) of Woodbury and Ben Taylor (wife Lauren McMillan) of Orlando, Florida. She is also survived by three great-grandchildren, Abigail and Taylor Hall (daughters of Rachel and Jeremy Hall) and Tripp Taylor (son of Ben and Lauren Taylor.)
Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Saturday, October 28, 2023 at Woodbury Church of Christ with Bro. Eddie Boggess and Bro. Herb Alsup officiating. Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery. Pallbearers include Tim Bell, Garrison Brothers, John and Alex Pitts, Bryan Hayes and Bill Sharp.
Visitation with her family will be Friday, October 27, 2023 from 3:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. and Saturday, October 28, 2023 from 10:00 A.M. until her time of services at Woodbury Church of Christ.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the MS Society or the ALS Foundation.
Woodbury Funeral Home, 615-563-2311 or to leave condolences for her family please visit www.woodburyfuneralhome.net