Billy Joe Davenport

Billy Joe “Tarp” Davenport, 86, of Kingsport, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 1, 2019, following a lengthy illness.Billy Joe was born on February 17, 1933, in Sullivan County, TN to the late O.D. and Loretta Davenport. He was a proud Veteran of the United States Army having served in Korea. Billy Joe was employed by Fluor Daniels for many years, and he enjoyed fishing and dirt track racing. Billy Joe was a member of New Beginnings Fellowship Church in Kingsport.Billy Joe was also preceded in death by his first wife, Patsy Hopkins Davenport; brothers, Willard and Don Davenport; and his sisters, Betty Kelly and Elizabeth Davenport.Those left to cherish Billy Joe’s memory are his wife of 32 years, Virginia “Jenny” Davenport; daughter, Susan Smith (Chester); son, Mitch Davenport (Jill); step-children, Tony LaForce (Drema), Jimmy LaForce (Michel), Tammy Thornburg, and Lisa Jennings (Steve); grandchildren, Ryan Davenport (Courtney) and Leslie Davenport; step-grandchildren, Eric Carty, Jessee LaForce (Meghan), Justin LaForce, Jericka Lewis (Wayne), Kelly Tipton (Anthony); great-grandchildren, Andy Salas, Ryan Andrew Davenport, Jr.; step-great-grandchildren, Destiny Carty, Nathaniel Sloan, Lexi Tipton and Jonathan Tipton; sisters, Linda Davis and Phyllis Simmons (Richard); brother, Leonard Davenport (Terry); several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.The family will receive friends from 12:00 noon until 2:00 pm on Thursday, September 5, 2019, in the J. Wayne Hamilton Memorial Chapel of Oak Hill Funeral & Cremation Services. A Celebration of Life Service will be conducted at 2:00 pm in the chapel with Pastor Leland H. Salyer officiating.A Graveside Service will follow at 3:00 pm in Oak Hill Memorial Park. Family and friends will serve as Pallbearers.The family extends their sincere gratitude to the staffs of VA Mountain Home and Ballad Health for their compassionate care of Billy Joe.The care of Billy Joe “Tarp” Davenport and his family has been entrusted to the staff of Oak Hill Funeral & Cremation Services.Read Obituary