My mother

November 21, 2008 – 6:00 am

Betty Jean Davenport was born Sept. 3, 1932 and went to be with the Lord on Nov. 16, 2008.

My mother raised my four sisters and me by herself. She instilled a strong worth ethic, morals and compassion for others. She raised us to judge an individual based on character, not by race or gender. Whatever good I possess is rooted in my mother’s teachings and unbelievable love.

I remember my mom taking me to my first baseball practice at the age of 7 and my hiding behind her crying as she talked to Coach Al Holloway because I was so painfully shy.

I remember her transporting me to every baseball practice after leaving the day shift at the Teletype (later AT&T) plant and then going home to cook dinner.

I remember her making every game I played, unless she worked the night shift.

I remember her getting a pillow and kneeling on her knees to catch for me as I practiced pitching in our back yard.

I remember her thinking of her family before herself.

I remember her waking me up and having my clothes laid out every morning during my first years in grade school.

I remember it being just her and me in the house after my sisters moved out in the fourth grade.

I remember going to the Shack BBQ restaurant in downtown Little Rock as a kid and only being allowed to get a pork sandwich instead of beef because it was five cents cheaper.

I remember in the sixth grade at Cloverdale Elementary getting out of school at 2:55 and running to the bike rack and riding as fast as I could the one mile home, so I could see my mom for five minutes before she left for the night shift which began at 3:30.

I remember her taking me fishing at the lake at Boyle Park.

I remember her taking me to see the Arkansas Travelers at Ray Winder Field.

I remember what a treat it was when she and I went to eat at the McDonald’s on University Avenue.

I remember her working either the night or graveyard shift and still coming to our second grade classroom to observe on parent day.

I remember her helping me with my homework despite working all day and making our family dinner.

I remember her never complaining.

I remember her, along with my sister and brother-in-law, taking me to my first Razorbacks game against North Texas State on Oct. 28, 1972.

I remember the Razorbacks brought so much joy to my mother until the very day of her passing.

I remember her resorting to tidying up the house during a Hog basketball or football game, unable to watch because the games made her too nervous.

I remember taking her to Bud Walton Arena in 1993 for the Delaware State game and seeing her bob her head to the music of the Razorback pep band.

I remember her praying that I meet someone like my wife, Megan, so I would have someone to share my life with and stand beside me during difficult times.

I remember as a teenager going to her bedroom and laying on her bed to talk to her about the day as she read the paper before going to sleep.

I remember her being so proud when I was hired to write two columns a week for the Arkansas Democrat Gazette and cutting out every column and article I ever wrote and saving them.

I remember calling her every Thursday night after being on the Shawn and Wally Show and discussing the show. She even recorded the shows so she could listen to them later.

I remember taking her an autographed Shawn and Wally t-shirt and seeing her smile because she loved listening to them so much.

I remember her being apprehensive about moving from a townhouse to a much smaller style apartment at The Cottages at Otter Creek, but how she absolutely adored living there the last seven years of her life.

I remember her looking forward to playing games in the community room with her beloved friends every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday afternoon.

I remember taking her out to lunch for her 76th birthday and making sure she was back home in time to play her coveted games.

I remember being able to call her if I ever needed a lift and feeling everything would be alright after speaking with her.

I remember calling her every night before she went to bed to say goodnight and that I loved her. I’ll miss making that call.

    23 Responses to “My mother”

  1. Richard, it is with sorrow that we learn of your loss. 76 seems such a young age for her passing. We pray that you meet her again one day in Heaven.

    By bigfoot on Nov 21, 2008 @ 7:49am

  2. Dear Richard:

    I am so sorry to hear about your mother. Many of the comments you made were similar to what I felt and said about my mother, four years ago when she passed. We are lucky guys.

    You and your family will be in our prayers.

    Sincerely, Russ

    By Russ on Nov 21, 2008 @ 10:01am

  3. What a beautiful tribute to your Mother. She sounds like the kind of parent every child would love to have and you a son that did her proud.

    By Harriet on Nov 21, 2008 @ 11:47am

  4. Very nice tribute to a much-loved and -appreciated mother.

    By Mike Dougherty on Nov 21, 2008 @ 1:06pm

  5. Richard you are a blessed man to have such a wonderful mother. I could feel the love you had for her as I read your thoughts on her passing. I feel like crying for you now because I know the pain of loss must be great. What a blessing to have such a wonderful woman lead and teach you.

    Thank you for sharing.

    By Mark Smith on Nov 21, 2008 @ 9:10pm

  6. Richard-I’m sorry about your loss but know that good folks like you don’t turn out by accident. Your mother must have been a special person.

    God bless you buddy.

    By Beau Jones on Nov 22, 2008 @ 12:05am

  7. Reading this makes my eyes water and my heart heavy. Hang in there Richard. Your mother will be there waiting for you when your time comes just like when you were a little guy. God bless.

    By Tyler Sportsman on Nov 22, 2008 @ 1:15am

  8. Richard,
    Thank you for posting this tribute to you Mother. Please keep it posted for a while. I lost my Mom 6 years ago and reading your tribute felt like I was writing my own. I had a very similar relationship with Mom so I’m familiar with what you’re going through. You and your family will be in my prayers. Hang in there and thanks again.

    By David on Nov 22, 2008 @ 10:20am

  9. Thanks Richard,
    No one remembers their mother like a son…

    May God bless you and your family at these trying times.

    By KsRazorback on Nov 22, 2008 @ 10:23am

  10. Richard, you have my deepest sympathy. We only have one mother and it really hurts when we lose her.

    By BFGHawg on Nov 22, 2008 @ 11:14am

  11. Richard:

    Your mother must have been a wonderful person, not just because of the things that you had to say about her, but because of how you have turned out. Your kindness is a great tribute to her. My prayers are with you and your family during this time. She is looking on you and smiling right now.

    By Oldbear on Nov 22, 2008 @ 8:12pm

  12. Sorry about your loss RD,great mother, the lord has plans for her now.

    By Jack Flash on Nov 23, 2008 @ 1:34pm

  13. Richard,my heart goes out to you and your family.Alot of what you just wrote about her makes me think about my father(especialy the nervous feelings during Razorback games)and it goes a long way when you have a parent who devotes so much.I wish you and your family the best through these hard times and God is with you.

    By Gary on Nov 23, 2008 @ 10:30pm

  14. Richard, that was a very nice tribute to your mother. Sounds like she was a great one. I’m very sorry for your loss and you will be in my prayers.

    By Buck Irwin on Nov 24, 2008 @ 1:40am

  15. So sorry to hear about your mother. We didn’t know. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
    God Bless.

    By The Smith's from Warren on Nov 24, 2008 @ 9:44pm

  16. I lost my Mother 2 years ago October, 16 I pray that your Holidays are filled with Wonderful Memories of your Mother, and even though it’s hard She will Always be with you in your Heart.

    By Razorbass on Nov 25, 2008 @ 9:19pm

  17. Richard:

    I too went to Cloverdale Elementary and Junior High. We played on the same High School baseball team at LR McClellan and if you remember I caught for you when you were a Senior. You had a mean fast ball.

    The other thing that we have in common is that I lost my mom this year…February 2nd to be exact. This will be my first Thanksgiving and Christmas without her and she is and will be missed. The thing I miss the most is being able to call her and share silly stories about my little boy and hearing the laughter on the other end of the line.

    Thanks for sharing your loss with so many. You really honored your mom in doing so.

    Keep up the great work keeping us informed as to recruiting on the hill. You are appreciated.

    Your friend,

    Greg Murtha

    By the way…do you still have that white fast back Mustang Mach I?

    By Greg Murtha on Nov 26, 2008 @ 10:34am

  18. Richard,

    I’m so sorry to hear about your mom. I remember her being a great lady. My parents sat with her at many of our baseball games. I lost my dad 3 years ago.

    I try to catch your column when I make it back to Arkansas and it sounds like you’re doing something you love, which is great!! I’d love to catch up sometime.

    I know your mom was always proud of you and so are your old high school friends!!

    Take care,
    Ron B.

    By Ron Barrentine on Nov 26, 2008 @ 10:46pm

  19. So sorry for your loss

    By d person on Nov 27, 2008 @ 10:32am

  20. Rich,

    I was there at that first baseball practice and remember vividly your crying – she could barely pull you off. At 83, my dad, Al Holloway, still talks about your days at Rosedale – and still displays the trophy that you and your mother gave him at the end of six years of coaching you. You and your family made quite an impact on him.

    Your mother and sisters were AVID supporters. With their support, you transformed from that crying, shy kid to a BEAST with a fastball. I believe I was your first catcher and I agree with the previous post – you had quite a fastball.

    Rich, I am very sorry to hear of your mom’s passing.

    John Holloway

    By John H on Nov 28, 2008 @ 11:33pm

  21. Rich,
    I’m sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. I did not know until John’s e-mail.
    Rich, other than my own son you were my favorite little leagurer.Not only were you a great player but your Mother and sisters were the greatest of little leaguge parents and supporters. If all little league families were like yours coaching kids would have been the greatest of all jobs,and of course if all players had been like you I would be coaching the Yankees.
    I read your article in the paper all the time and I am real proud of you and brag about you playing for me all the time.
    Stay strong and keep up the good work.
    Al Holloway

    By A.E. Holloway on Nov 29, 2008 @ 11:49am

  22. Richard,
    I’m so sorry to hear about the passing of your mother but I’m so glad to know that she loved our Lord & Savior. I to grew up with a single mother & one sister. I was so proud to have the same type mom that you had. What special women they are. I am now 44 and still have my mom but see her health slipping each year. I can identify so well with the wonderful comments you made about her. I’m sure she was so proud of you. I pray that God will comfort you and your sisters daily.

    By Michael Gower on Nov 29, 2008 @ 5:08pm

  23. richard sorry about your mother i lost my dad on nov 3rd i remember u calling me with sympathy i just read article on mother sorry again

    By james brown on Dec 7, 2008 @ 7:34pm

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