of Rockton, IL
January 27, 1944 - October 5, 2014
Nancy Elizabeth Seeman Davenport, 70, of Rockton, Illinois, passed away on Sunday October 5th, 2014 of natural causes.
Nancy was born in Memphis, TN on January 27, 1944. She graduated from West Helena High School , and continued on to receive a Degree in Education from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.
Nancy worked as an English teacher for South Beloit Junior High School for 45 years. Outside of her love of teaching, her passions included reading, spending time with her children and grandchildren and watching Razorback football.
Nancy is survived by her children Ken (Veronica) Gray, John (Karen) Gray, Kristen (David) McCool, Brian (Lisa) Menne, her grandchildren, Carley, Johnny and Jacob Gray, Brittany, Tiffany, Laura, Kenneth, Alex and Grace McCool and Mackenzie Menne. Her siblings, John (Pam) Seeman Jr. , Andrew(Marie) Seeman, Terri Seeman Hollowel, and Jeanne Crisp. Nancy also leaves several nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.
Nancy is preceded in death by her husband Mike Davenport and her parents John S. Seeman Sr. and Floradeen Brown Smith.
A graveside service for Nancy Davenport will be held at 3:00 p.m., Friday, October 10, 2014 at Sunset Memorial Park in West Helena, Arkansas.
A memorial fund has been set up to support the South Beloit Jr. High Library in Nancy's name. Memorials may be sent to Nancy Davenport Memorial Fund c/o South Beloit School District, 850 Hayes Avenue, South Beloit, Illinois 61080.
Service will be directed by Roller-Citizens Funeral Home, West Helena, (870) 572-2571.
Thank you to all who posted on my Mother's page. A lot of people I know or knew because she talked about them. She loved teaching and talking about all her students and how great they were. There was always a positive story to tell about each of them. It's Christmas now and I miss her dearly. But I feel great comfort on the impact that my mom made in so many lives with her teaching and guidance through out her years teaching and being a mother, a friend and a wonderful person. I love you mom more than you will ever know and thank you for guiding me into the person I am today.
So very sorry for your loss. Nancy was such a beautiful lady, a few years ahead of me at Central, but she made an such an
impression. God Bless.
So sorry to hear this-I always enjoyed working with Nancy at South Beloit Junior High. She will be greatly missed.
Our sympathies and prayers are with the entire Davenport family during this difficult time. Nancy was a wonderful person, down to earth, inspiration to so many children during her long tenure as a teacher and always such a beautiful smile on her face - this photo reminds me of her like it was yesterday. May you rest in peace our dear friend - God bless.
What a wonderful teacher.Many found memories of her in Jr. high.She was also my homeroom teacher too! Will miss her greatly.Wanda (Mueller) Pritchard.
Nancy and I shared a number of fond memories our freshman year in Fayetteville. We were in the same section on the top floor of Fulbright Hall. We rode home together to Helena a number of times. She was always so sweet and had a radiant smile. We had a lot of laughs.
Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Kathryn and Jim Lore
Im sorry to hear about Miss Menne i had her in 7th grade as a speech teacher when i was 14 yrs of age im now 52 yrs old and remember her like it was yesturday. Both my children also had her in school. I remember us 14 year old boys thought she was our hottiest teacher we all had a crush on her. My prayers are with her and her family
Rickie Walmer
Mrs. Davenport was one of my favorite teachers growing up. I never liked English class before she was my teacher. I'm so sorry for your loss Brian.
I will miss her lovely emails. She was one of the sweetest girls I ever knew. Nancy was gorgeous and I loved her.
Thoughts & prayers to the family.
Both of my children were taught by Nancy and enjoyed it very much. My son commented that she was a great storyteller and she made the words come alive when she read aloud. She was an excellent teacher. Thoughts and prayers are with her friends and family.
I am at a loss for word's. She was an GREAT lady and teacher. Me and my sisters had Ms. Menne and we all would like to say GOD bless her and her family.
Praying for your family. She was a precious friend during our days at Central.
So sorry for your loss Mrs. Davenport will be greatly missed she helped me tons when I was 16 and in school because of that she helped me to learn to go on and things will be ok and they were and I'm became very successful in my life Thank you so much thoughts and prayers to all the family
She was a great teacher and mentor and she will be greatly missed
Mrs. Davenport was there when I got the news of my grandpa passing. She was a great person and teacher. Im glad I was in her class the day I got the news. I will miss her. God bless you Nancy Davenport
I was deeply saddened to hear about Mrs. Davenport's passing. She was an awesome teacher and person.
Like so many others who have commented here, Nancy was my Speech and English teacher in Junior High School. I how to introduce people to one another in her class. I still remember her teaching us howwe developed spoken language. To this day I still use ddiaphragmatic breathing to calm and center myself. She taught me that. To all of her family who are so lost right now, please know that she lives on in her students. As for me she had a tremendous influence in my life and I will forever be grateful for knowing her.
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your mom. Nancy was such a terrific lady and colleague. We had many conversations about our families and children when she would come over to the District Office and I never knew a time that she was not smiling.
Thank you Nancy! You gave so much to so many. You have such a variety of legacies you leave behind. Your beautiful children will bring your genealogy and love into the future while the vast number of lives you touched through teaching and friendship will show how you, just one individual, helped shape our tomorrows. I am a better person having known you. I will always hold the beautiful memory of you close to my heart. My prayers, my loving thoughts, and my heart go out to her sweet family. Twyla
Nancy was one of the truly beautiful women I have ever met. Like ever other boy attending Central High (INDIANS) with her, we watched and dreamed of her. She may no longer be physically here with us, but she will be in our heart forever! RIP Nancy
I am deeply saddened by news of Nancy's passing. I am proud to have worked with her as a teacher for many years, but more importantly, to have called her my friend. She enriched the lives of South Beloit students and anyone that had the pleasure to meet this fine and gentle person. She will be missed.
So sorry to hear of her passing. I was in her first english class when she came to South Beloit. All the boys in our class had their first crush. She was an amazing teacher!!! She also had all four of my boys so we were on a first name basis!!!! Know that we all have fond memories of her.
I was so sad to hear of Mrs. Davenport's passing. She had both my sons, Vic and Brent. They both loved her, so much so, that Vic was an English major. I remember an 8th grade class trip to tour the GM plant I Janesvile. A former student who worked there saw Mrs. Davenport in the group. He jumped over the assembly line and screamed with delight. It stopped the assembly line. I am sure he could of gotten in trouble for that, but he gave her the biggest hug. I think most of her students felt that way about her. She was a good lady. God bless you all.
My prayers are with you Nick and your family.
So sorry for your loss. Nancy was a wonderful person and will be missed. Prayers and Hugs to all of you.
She was always happy to teach us kids even when we were bad
Mrs. Davenport inspired all of her students and created lasting memories for all. You will truly be missed. RIP
I'm sorry to hear of the loss of Mrs. Davenport. May she rest in peace. My condolences go out to her family and friends.
Very sad to hear of the news of Mrs. Davenport's passing, my condolences. She was a great teacher as well as a wonderful boss during my days at the Wagon Wheel. Rest in peace.
"The death of a beautiful woman, is unquestionably the most poetical topic in the world." - Edgar Allan Poe,
In 7th grade Ms Menne would read Poe to us. It is and always will be one of my most favorite memories. She could
Tell a story like no one I ever knew.
I'm so very sorry for your loss. She was and always will be the best teacher South Beloit has ever had.
Prayers to you and your family.
Rhonda Martin Kemp
Rest in peace Nancy and may god help your family in this time of grief.
Very sad news. She was a wonderful woman and teacher. My thoughts & prayers are with her family!
This is a loss for our entire community, she was one of the best educators I've ever known. Kind, compassionate, effective. RIP Mrs. Davenport, you'll be forever remembered as one of the best there ever was. Now she can catch up with her buddy, Mr. Martin!
Very sad news. Great memories.
I love u nancy. Will miss u very much. U were the best step mom and teacher a girl could ever have. Thank u for loving me.
Mrs. Davenport was my teacher in 7th and 8th grade. She was an amazing lady. Always one of my favorites. RIP and may you teach a lesson or two in heaven.
One of the most amazing teachers! English would not have been the same without her! Gone but never forgotten!
Nancy was not only one of my favorite teachers she also worked for my dad as a dispatcher. She always treated me as family even though I wasn't. She was so easy to talk to & was always there to help me with anything. You may be gone but you will FOREVER & ALWAYS be in my heart. I love you Nancy. My thoughts and prayers to the family.
I am at loss of words Mes Davenport aka Ms Menne was an amazing teacher and woman she touched the lives of so many kids may she fly high with the angels South Beloit lost a amazing woman you will be missed Nancy but promise this you will never be forgotten you will live in my heart always
Nancy was my 7th and 8th grade English teacher... I will never forget her reading the book 'The Outsiders' to us in class. RIP.
I was saddened to hear of the loss of your mom. She was a wonderful woman. She had an impact on everyone she came into contact with. She was one of my favorite teachers. My heart and prayers go out to you all.
I remember Nancy so well from a high school band trip to Hot Springs, I think. My Mother was one of the drivers and I was pleased to see how she and Nancy made friends and got along -- Nancy was so vibrant and full of life, and Mother really liked her. I liked Nancy too, and her kindness to my Mother has always given me a special feeling for her.
You are in our thoughts and Prayers. Jim and Diane Mayer & Family
A gracious and beautiful lady who will be missed by all. John, Andy, Terri, please know our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Nancy and I were in high school together, and I remember her as one of the sweetest people I've ever been around. With her beautiful smile and radiant charm, she made everyone who came in contact with her feel better for having done so---a truly remarkable gift! RIP, Nancy.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family during this trying time.
What a beautiful and special friend she was to Bill and Bonnie (Campbell) Lawhon. We will miss her very much. She graduated with us in '61 from Central High School.
Bonnie's mother, Jean Campbell, remembers Floradeen from Mohawk Tire and Rubber Company. She is 91 and lives with us in Ohio.
I will always love you Nana, you do not know how many memories you have given me and I will always cherish. You were a inspiration to me and my sibling and i can not repay you enough for that. The memory that i remember the most is when we were sitting at the dining room table, and you were teaching me vocabulary, and i didnt understand half the words that were in that book. And as soon as i was giving up and about to leave the table, you sat there all night to help me completely understand. I will always keep that note that you left on my pillow before you left in my heart. You will be dearly missed. I love you
I will forever hold a special place in my heart for Non. God bless you as you go on your way. Much love to those that will miss you until they see you again in Heaven.
To the Seeman family....especially Terri...so saddened to hear of the passing of Nancy. She always had the most beautiful smile...looks like she continued to have that precious smile. I pray that the Lord will comfort each of you at this difficult time and May He wrap His loving arms around each of you and give you the strength and courage that you need for the coming days. God Bless each of you and my prayers are for each of you to find peace in knowing Nancy is in a far better place...Love and prayers