Betty Mae Davenport of Dexter, Michigan, passed away at Canton Crossings Assisted Living in Canton, Michigan, on October 1, 2026, at 90 years of age. Betty was born on July 6, 1936, to Herbert and Rebecca Elliott in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
She was the youngest of 7 children and was raised on the family farm on Bemis Road, Ypsilanti. When Betty was seven years old her mother, Rebecca, passed away. Betty spent several years living with relatives until she was old enough to move back to the family farm and live with her dad in a house trailer. She cooked and cleaned for the two of them through her middle and high school years. She enjoyed spending time with her dad at their family cottage on Portage Lake.
Betty attended a one room schoolhouse on Bemis Road. She graduated from Milan High School in 1954. She began working as a secretary at the University of Michigan Food Service Department. While working there she was set up on a blind date with Lambert “Bert” Davenport. They were married on July 14, 1956, at Bethlehem United Church of Christ in Ann Arbor and moved to Dexter.
Betty began working for the Dexter Community Schools in 1973. Her positions included teacher’s aide, Title 1 Reading Aide and secretary. She retired in 1993. As a member of St. Andrew’s United Church of Christ, Betty served in many ways. She was a Deacon on the Consistory, chaired the Funeral Luncheon Committee, chaired the annual Church Rummage Sale Committee and served on the Pastoral Search Committee three times. She chaired the Farmer’s Dinners and monthly bake sales. She loved to cook and try out new recipes. She was well known for her wonderful homemade pies.
Betty was active in the Dexter Community. During her children’s early years, she served as an elementary room mother, a Girl Scout leader, and a Cub Scout den mother. She was active in the Dexter Relay for Life, manning a refreshment booth at this fundraiser. During the 1974 Sesquicentennial she was a member of the Bees Knees Belles chapter, dancing the Charleston with her friends at community events. She was a co-founder of the Dexter Vintage Car Club and enjoyed touring with Bert in their 1929 Chevrolet.
After her retirement, she learned primitive rug hooking at the Senior Center. She enjoyed antiquing with Bert and taught her kids to always ask for “the best price.” In her later years, she enjoyed going for burgers on Thursdays at the Dexter American Legion.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Bert Davenport in 2019. She was preceded in death by 6 brothers and sisters, their spouses and several nieces and nephews. She is survived by her children, Jennifer (Charles) Heidel of Longmont, Colorado, Ross (Susan) Davenport of Canton, Pamela (Steven) Pollard of Canton; grandchildren, Patrick and Megan Heidel (Matt Jones) of Colorado, Rebecca Davenport (Rick Jones) of Wayne, Sarah Davenport (Colin McDonough) of Dexter, Zachary Davenport of Canton, Rachael (Nick) Scappaticci of Pinkney, Jacob
(Savannah) Pollard of Howell, and Hannah Pollard of Canton; great-grandchildren, Brady and Addison Pollard of Howell and Wesley McDonough of Dexter.
A memorial service will be held at St. Andrew’s United Church of Christ in Dexter at a later date. Cole Funeral Chapel in Chelsea, Michigan, is being entrusted with arrangements. They will provide an update on their website at a later date.
You can use the form below to share a memory or leave a public message for Betty's family. Please allow 24 hours for us to review and post your comment.