Bernice Alexander Davenport was born June 10, 1925, in Chicago, Illinois. The second child of fourteen children, her parents were Cecelia King-Suggs and Frank Alexander. Bernice had the most remarkable life, helping to raise her siblings as well as her twelve children. She was always a hard worker; she worked as a cashier at a local market in her hometown when she met Theodore. The couple was married for over sixty years, having children early in their marriage—eventually raising five girls and seven boys.

Her first child Theodore was born in Chicago. After the birth of her first son, the couple moved to Lansing, Michigan. Eleven children were added once they moved to Lansing; Lawrence, Charles, Chris, Gregory, and Mark were born in Lansing. Then, after consulting with a local priest, she prayed to have a girl, and her oldest daughter Elizabeth was born, followed by Deborah, Audrey, and Karen. Her youngest son Bruce was born the day after her birthday. Finally, the family was completed with another daughter Mary.

She worked as a professional housekeeper at Michigan State University at night while Theodore worked first at Reo Motors to support her family. When her housekeeping jobs ended, the husband of one of the women she worked for was an executive at General Motors and helped Theodore Sr get a job at Fisher Body. From these humble beginnings, she began to work in local politics for the Michigan Democratic Party. Through her political activities, Bernice gained the attention of the governor of Michigan, G. Mennen-Williams, and the local Democratic organization. Bernice also worked for the election of John F. Kennedy. After the election, she continued to volunteer for the Democrats. After the democratic landslide of 1964, the party sponsored her to a patronage job in the clerk room and bathroom attendant at the state senate offices.

After the election of 1966, she was reassigned to be matron in the female capital lavatories and coat room clerk. However, the political administration had changed; George Romney and the Republicans were now in charge, and as a result, her job was in jeopardy. However, with the intercession of senators Basil Brown and Coleman Young, she was reappointed to her job after the elections of 1968. Through her job, she put the coats on democratic candidates Robert F. Kennedy and George Wallace.

Because of her outgoing personality, she became a capital favorite and gained the attention of Governor George Romney and Governor William Milliken. When Mr. Houston, the director of the Social Services Department asked her about her education, he told Bernice that he would hire her in a professional position only if she had a GED (she had dropped out of school to marry Theodore). She immediately went to the Board of Education with her grandchildren in her arms and signed up for the test. She passed part one and part two of the GED exam in two days without studying. However, when Bernice took the results to the director, she was told no job was available. Bernice relayed this information to the governor and the lieutenant governor. Governor Romney called Mr. Houston and directed him to create a position for Bernice. Thus, she became an EEO officer, the first one ever created in the state of Michigan. Bernice held the position for over twenty-two years until her retirement in the early 90s. She also served the City of Lansing on the Human Relations Commission and helped establish Christo Rey Church.

She was a devote Catholic; five of her children were sent to the Holy Cross Church and school. Both she and Theodore respected the power of education. Bernice leaves to cherish her memory: her children, Lawrence Davenport, Sr., Ed.D., Dennis Davenport, J.D., Gregory Davenport, Ph.D., Elizabeth Davenport, J.D., Ph.D., Deborah Johnson, Sue Branson, MSW, Bruce Davenport, Audrey Savage, Mark Davenport, and Mary Davenport, M.A.; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and daughter and sons-in-law and grandchildren who are lawyers, teachers administrators, and one superintendent.

In addition to Theodore, Sr., and sons Theodore II and Chris, Sr., she was preceded in death by: her sisters, Musette, Celestine, Dixie Gale, Maxine (the first Maxine); and her brothers, Frank L.C; Reverends Lester and Essex Alexander.

Our mother was the definition of love, loving each of us unconditionally and made our birthdays, Christmas, weddings, and children's birth an event.

Corinthians 13: 1-8

13 If I speak in the tongues[ a ] of men or angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but does not have love, I am nothing.
3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, [ b ] but do not have love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient; love is kind. It does not envy; it does not boast; it is not proud.
5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs.
6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres.
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

Mama, we love you, and you will be missed. We will love you until the end of time.

Arrangements for Mrs. Davenport are as follows: