7:14 PM
An Assignment - Not a Report of My Death! :)
SandraTeresa Davenport was many things to many people.
She was grandly Bohemian. She moved about the earth as she pleased. She dressed
herself in an easy, colorful fashion, always with a collection of trinkets
around her neck and wrists. Her uniform was long, flowing skirts, mostly black with overblouses, shawls and baggy pants. She spoke clearly, with great authority, never
leaving room for doubt, never needing encouragement or prodding. Knowing Sandra
Davenport had many ‘affects’.
SandraTeresa Davenport was a hell of a woman!
She was the third child of six born to Claude and
Ethel Davenport. She constantly sought her place, her voice, her standing in
the group. She was also seeking her place in the world, on this earth.
Sandra was ‘born in a female body in
black skin’. This gave her inner warrior an extra edge. That may account for her
formidable brain power: a trait she shared with all her siblings. Brilliance.
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| Birthplace - Clarkesville, GA |
The word Edgy is one of the first words that come to
mind when thinking about Sandra. She had a talent for putting even the bravest
men, smartest women and most likeable liberal racists on edge. And she used it so
well.
When this trait was mixed with her edginess, quick wit
and beautiful smile, SandraTeresa Davenport became a walking/talking braniac
demon—something to fear, to dread, and to befriend, if allowed. She was a
wonderful friend. Her favorite thing was gifting. She loved Tea and many people
here now have something Tea-related that Sandra gave them. She was very
generous, in every way. Time, talents, opinions, all unsolicited, correct, and
freely given. :)
Her natural leaning towards helping people lead her to
alternative health and healing. She never failed to consult on which herbs to
use for which ailment, where it grew and how long it lasts.
Her family size and standing pushed Sandra to find and
develop her natural talents. She was a gifted speaker and writer. She laughed
often, loud and easily! Her laughter was like notes of joy randomly dancing
through the air.
Sandra learned to dance listening to Smokey Robinson
sing ‘Shop Around.’ In that year, she was six years old. She knew then, that
she loved music, dancing, and, Smokey Robinson. She never gave him up and she
never stopped dancing. Another thing she always said, “Before yawl pronounce me
as surely dead, play something by James Brown. If I don’t start dancing, I’m
dead. [That's why you hear him singing right now.]
She was pretty—without makeup and always smiling, even
when she was causing somebody to quiver, quake and pray out loud. But San was
like that.
You are here today because you experienced some
of the above described ‘affects’ of knowing SandraTeresa Davenport.
Sandra was also often heard to admonish us, “don’t cry
for me if I leave here before you do’. I ask you, how would we not cry? How would
we not despair? Who, now, will fill in the gaps in what we think we know about
religion? Who will be first on the floor when Motown oldies come on? No more SandraTeresa Davenport? No more easy
and quick answers to questions about alternative health and medicine?
Although seminary-educated and ordained, she espoused no traditional religion, cursed many of
them and dutifully avoided all of them. She did, however move in large,
definite strides toward and into metaphysics. She never doubted the truth of
reincarnation. She marveled to think of the growth of the spirit, from one
lifetime to the next and the next. Today, she is stepping up to her beliefs and
understandings. She is rising to that great unknown now she knows. All her
questions have been answered and she continues to rise. She left this old world
much healthier than she found it. She left it more light-hearted. She likely is
encouraging us all always to LiveWellToday/DrinkTeaAlways! Amen.
