Clayton T. Davenport of BRISTOL, TN died peacefully at Wellmont Hospice House on Saturday, March 6, 2010, following a brief illness.

Mr. Davenport, a retired banker, was a lifelong resident of Bristol and involved in a number of civic and community activities during his career.

He was born May 6, 1921, in Sullivan County, the son of Clyde T. Davenport and Lula Flick Davenport. Valedictorian of his graduating class at Holston Valley High School, he was employed thereafter at The Bristol Herald Courier for a time prior to serving in the U.S. Army in Europe during World War II. He was discharged as a Staff Sergeant at war’s end and enrolled at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. There he completed his undergraduate education and earned his law degree in 1949, having served as editor of the law review and being designated Order of the Coif.

He was married to Mary Ann Stringe on December 24, 1949, in Knoxville, Tennessee, and returned home to Bristol to open his own law office. In 1956 he left the practice of law, accepting a position at The First National Bank of Sullivan County, where he established its Trust Department and served as Vice President and Trust Officer. A graduate of the School of Banking of the South at Louisiana State University, he served on the Bank’s board of directors for a number of years prior to retiring as Executive Vice President in 1983. He was a member and director of the Bristol TN/VA Rotary Club and a moving force for many years in its Rotary Student Loan program. He was a member of the Sullivan County Industrial Development Board and served on the boards of King College, Bristol Memorial Hospital, and other local groups. He was a member of Windsor Avenue Presbyterian Church and active there as a deacon and an elder and taught the Men’s Bible class for 35 years.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Davenport was predeceased by his brother, Kenneth C. Davenport of Bristol.

He is survived by his beloved wife and faithful caregiver, Mary Ann S. Davenport, his daughter, Sara Davenport Clariday and husband David Clariday of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, his sons, Richard A. and wife, Ginger Davenport of Franklin, Tennessee, and C. Thomas Davenport, Jr. and wife, Rebecca H. Davenport of Bristol, Tennessee, and six grandchildren.

The family wishes to express its gratitude to the staffs on 2 West at Wellmont Bristol and at the Hospice House and to Drs. Tom Green, Jr., John Byers, John Green, and Tom Townsend for their kindness, care and genuine concern during Mr. Davenport’s last days.

The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, those who wish might make a memorial contribution to Windsor Avenue Presbyterian Church, 1100 Windsor Ave., Bristol, TN 37620 or Wellmont Bristol Hospice House , 280 Steele’s Rd., Bristol, TN 37620.

Friends will be received at Akard Funeral Home on Monday, March 8, 2010 at 4:00 – 6:00 P.M., following a private service.

Email condolences may be sent to the family at akardfh@akardfuneralhome.com