Linda Lee Davenport

     Linda Lee Davenport, 65, died peacefully at home on Knowles Island, Ridgeland, SC, on August 6, 2017, surrounded by family, loved ones, lifetime friends and her beloved dogs. Born in Athens, Greece, on January 19, 1952, she was the daughter of the late John Marshall and Margarita Kyrieri Davenport.

     After graduating from high school in Athens, Greece, she left for college in the United States where she attended the University of South Carolina, remaining in Columbia, SC, until relocating to the Lowcountry in 1993. She earned a master’s in business administration and most-notably holds the distinction of being the first “Cocky” mascot in 1971.

     Linda was a certified financial planner with Davenport & Associates, a financial advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. She leaves behind a lasting legacy of her dedication and commitment to the many clients and friends she had across the country whom she had served for more than 30 years.

     At Linda’s core was a passion and deep-abiding love for children with special needs and disabilities, and for all animals, but in particular the many dogs she rescued during her lifetime. Her charitable work in support of animal rescue organizations continues to leave an indelible print of her mission to give each  the home they so rightly deserved. Her passionate support helped to enrich the lives of many children and animals. She was a sponsor of Heroes on Horseback, Hilton Head chapter, and Maranantha Farm in Ridgeland.

     Linda is survived by her sister Nancy (Matthew) Pellegrino of Tulsa, OK, and two nieces, Kellie (Aaron) Chang and Nicole Pellegrino, two grandnephews whom she adored, a large extended family, and her dear friend and companion of many years, Jeanne Hodge.

     She was a member of Okatie Episcopal Church in Okatie, SC, where she served on the vestry. During her college years, she attended the Greek Orthodox Church in Columbia where she taught Greek to the children in the church.

     Her love of travel and culture led her to many places throughout her life. There were frequent return trips to her homeland and other Greek islands, and to most of the major cities, countries and continents in the world. She was fluent in several languages: Greek, English, French and Spanish. Linda was a licensed pilot and loved flying her Piper Cub to the Bahamas, and island hopping across the Caribbean. She exemplified joie de vivre.

     A Requiem Eucharist will be held at the Okatie Episcopal Church, located at 231 Hazzard Creek Village, off Hwy. 170, in Okatie, SC, on Friday, August 11 at 11:00 a.m.

     In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Linda’s memory to Heroes on Horseback, P.O. Box 3678, Bluffton, SC 29910; Maranantha Farm, 342 Crabapple Lane, Ridgeland, SC 29936; or any animal rescue organization of choice.