Edward Alexander Davenport, Sr. was born on June 2, 1916 in Washington County. He was the oldest of three sons born to the late Andrew and Emma Davenport. Because of the untimely deaths of his parents and two brothers within a few years, he was raised by his maternal grandmother, Mrs. Francis Garrett, whom he lovingly referred to as "Mama". He slept peacefully into eternal rest on December 24, 2013 at Vidant Medical Center, Greenville. He was 97 years old.

Alexander, as he was usually known, received his formal education in the Washington County School System and was graduated valedictorian of his class.

On July 21, 1935, he was united in holy matrimony to the "love of his life", Cora Lee Brown. To this union seven children were born. Even after Cora Lee's death in 2004, he continued to talk about how much he loved her and how much he had "spoiled" her. According to him, "CB" as he affectionately called her, was the only woman for him.

As a member of First Zion Grove Missionary Baptist Church, he faithfully served as Deacon, Church Clerk, and Adult Sunday School Teacher. Teaching Sunday School was his passion, which he enthusiastically embraced for over 40 years. In 2012, Deacon Davenport resigned as Church Clerk and Sunday School Teacher because of declining health.

Throughout his lifetime, he worked numerous jobs, finally retiring from the Plywood Mill at Weyerhaeuser. It was then that he began his second job, adding newspapers to his prosperous peanut sales, at various locations, eventually establishing himself at Piggly Wiggly. He loved interacting with the customers, and many of them enjoyed talking with him while purchasing his wares, refusing to buy from anyone else. There he was known as "Mr. Davenport", "the Peanut Man", "Mr. Peanut", or simply "Pops".

Deacon Davenport leaves to cherish his memory four daughters: Verna Turner- Jersey City, NJ., Iris Johnson (Roy)- Columbus, GA., Catherine Bond- Plymouth, NC,. Emma Moore (Robert)- Plymouth, NC., twelve grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren, ten great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and a host of relatives and friends.

In addition to his wife Cora Lee, Deacon Davenport was preceded in death by and infant son James, son Edward Alexander "Polk" Davenport, Jr., daughter Pearl Davenport Biggs, granddaughter Jean Bond Newton, and two grandsons Michael Turner and Thermus Biggs.

Funeral services were 1:00PM December 29, 2013 at First Zion Missionary Baptist Church with Pastor Wayne Welch, officiating. Burial followed in First Zion
Grove Cemetery.