Shirley Davenport-2-26-2022

Shirley Mae Davenport was born in Holly Grove, Arkansas on December 26, 1949.  She fought a good fight, but lost the battle and was called home on February 17, 2022.

Shirley moved to New Jersey in 1969 and bartended at the Off Broadway, Co Co's, Oasis, Brown Castle and later retiring from Lairds after working there for 15 years.  She was loved by so many (#mom dukes).

Shirley was a straight forward, no nonsense person who held nothing back. She had a bright smile but gave tough love. If you were her friend you had to endure the tough love given even if it hurt. She always gave her advice.  Shirley loved her family and also her Second Baptist family where she was an usher.  She loved being at the door, hugging and greeting people.  She believed that people needed to be loved on and she was glad to be the first person they saw.  She greeted people with what she longed for in life and what she received from her family and friends.

She is predeceased by her two sons Ivory Lee Dismuke Jr. and Ivory Lavell Dismuke, mother Addie McClair, father David Davenport, sisters Ann, Pauline, Verla, and Clara, brother Steve and nephews Sean and Donald.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory her daughters Nadine Davenport and Margie Dismuke; son Myron Dismuke; sisters Eunice, Patricia, Iris, April, Demetria, Marlene, Margret, Carol and Freddie Mae; brothers June and Myron; grandchildren Jereea, Keyona, Shareea, Ja-quan, Jahod, Talia, Sherae, Shelly, Tyesha and great-grandchildren Kamoni, Bria, Praise, Avah, Amari, Tadien, Ricky, Josiah and Ahalan; nieces and nephews Sidra Hankins, Teshara Evans, Chunta Blueford, Lynette Blueford, Myron Blueford and Marc Jackson.