Derris Davenport

On April 15, 2026, God called his servant Derris Andrew Davenport, 91, into the glorious presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. A devoted pastor, husband, father, teacher, and Christian leader, Derris passed peacefully into eternity at home while surrounded by the love of God, his family, and his friends.

Born to the late Clarence (“Whitey”) Andrew Davenport and Eula Rowena Turner Davenport on August 2, 1934, in Fort Mill (York County), South Carolina, Derris dedicated his life to Christian ministry, the service of others, and loving his family. He was ordained on March 31, 1957, by the First Baptist Church in Fort Mill, marking the beginning of a lifelong Christian calling that would span more than fifty years. In the power of God’s strength, he steadfastly persevered in his calling to the end, boldly standing for God’s truth and faithfully proclaiming God’s gospel, all while devotedly loving, caring for, and guiding his family, his proudest achievement.   

Derris placed his faith in Jesus as his Lord and Savior and received God’s call to Christian ministry while honorably serving his country in the United States Navy as an Aviation Electronicsman from 1952 to 1955. Following his honorable discharge, he immediately pursued God’s call, performing mission work under the Southern Baptist Convention’s “Tentmaker” program and serving for two years as music director at North Hills Baptist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee while he began his theological studies at Carson-Newman College.

During his time at Carson-Newman College, Derris met and courted Mary Jo Lingerfelt, daughter of the late Rev. James E. Lingerfelt and Nelle Jane Self Lingerfelt, Southern Baptist missionaries to Brazil. Married on August 24, 1957, Derris and Mary Jo built a life rooted in faith and family. Their partnership in service to the church spanned decades and touched many lives.

After graduating in 1959 from Carson-Newman College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Bible, Derris earned both a Bachelor of Divinity degree (1962) and a Master of Theology degree (1968) from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.

Throughout his long and distinguished career, Derris faithfully served numerous congregations across the Southeast. He pastored churches in Tennessee, Georgia, and South Carolina, including First Baptist Church in Camden, Tennessee; First Baptist Church in Winder, Georgia; North Conway Baptist Church in Conway, South Carolina; and Ridgeland Baptist Church in Ridgeland, South Carolina, where he served until his retirement in 1999. Even in retirement, he continued to answer God’s call on his life, providing long-term interim pastoral leadership to several churches in the South Carolina Low Country, and serving for nearly seven years as Interim Director of Missions for the Savannah River Baptist Association.

Derris’s commitment to Christian ministry extended well beyond the local church. Throughout his career, he held numerous leadership roles within Baptist associations and state conventions in Tennessee, Georgia, and South Carolina. Among his many contributions were leadership roles in pastors’ conferences, committees, and advisory councils, as well as service as a trustee for both Union University (Jackson, Tennessee) and Truett-McConnell College (Cleveland, Georgia). He taught, trained, and encouraged fellow ministers through the Georgia Baptist Education Extension program and the Baptist Seminary Extension Center. His many leadership positions across numerous organizations demonstrate that Derris was a trusted leader, known and appreciated for his wisdom and steady hand.

Derris is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Jo Davenport; their children, Andrew Alan Davenport (Michelle), Mark Eliot Davenport (Cindy), and Jody Beth Graham (Brian – “BG”); four grandchildren; one great grandchild; and his dear sister, Myra Conner.

The outpouring of sacrificial love and support over these last, difficult years of his earthly life provides visible testimony to the powerful and lasting legacy of Christian love and faithfulness Derris left in and for his beloved community of Christian brothers and sisters in Ridgeland and beyond. His family expresses their deepest gratitude to the many friends who have so lovingly and sacrificially provided transportation, food, comfort, and Christian friendship.

Family and friends are invited to attend the funeral service on Friday, April 24 at 11:00 a.m. at Ridgeland Baptist Church, 1448 Grays Hwy, Ridgeland, SC 29936. Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow the service at Ridgeland Cemetery, Ingram Street, Ridgeland, SC.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Vaigneur Funeral Home in Ridgeland, SC. The family requests that any memorial donations be made to the General Fund of Ridgeland Baptist Church in his honor.

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