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Kayla Davenport

May 16, 1997 - August 7, 2014
Vicksburg, MI

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Visitation

Tuesday, August 12, 2014
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EDT
Vicksburg High School Performing Arts Center
501 East Highway Street
Vicksburg, MI 49097

Service

Tuesday, August 12, 2014
1:00 PM EDT
Vicksburg High School Performing Arts Center
501 East Highway Street
Vicksburg, MI 49097

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Kalamazoo Humane Society
4239 South Westnedge Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI 49001
(269) 345-1181

Vicksburg Athletic Boosters
301 South Kalamazoo
Vicksburg, MI 49097
(269) 321-1000

Attn: Amy

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Heirloom Rose
407 S. Grand St.
Schoolcraft, MI 49087
(269) 679-3010
Driving Directions
Web Site

Wedel's Nursery Florist & Garden Center
5020 Texas Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 345-1195
Driving Directions

Life Story / Obituary


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Why some are given decades in which to compose their life’s song while others are given a mere whisper in time is one of life’s resounding questions that will remain forever unanswered. Although Kayla Davenport’s melody came to an end much too soon, she packed more living into the 17 years she was given than most who live nearly a century do. She was vibrant, fun-loving, and outgoing with a zest for life that was contagious to everyone who was near. All who knew Kayla would agree that she put the sparkle into the world around her, and with her warm and bubbly personality she drew others near with ease. She was driven, determined to succeed, and passionate in the things she enjoyed, yet she also took nothing for granted. Life will never be the same without Kayla here, but her memory will remain forever near and dear to those too numerous to count.

The 1990s were a decade to remember when technology changed the way we lived our daily lives. This was the decade that saw the birth of the world wide web in 1992, which brought the world around us to our fingertips. Computers, video games, and cellular phones were becoming part of our lives like never before when Madonna, Alanis Morisette, and the Verve Pipe were part of the cultural fabric of America. It was during this same time that a young couple from Vicksburg, Michigan, was blessed with the birth of a healthy baby girl on May 16, 1997, at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Kayla was the younger of two children born to her parents, Michael and Maria Davenport, and she was raised in the family home alongside her older brother, Neil. Her father works as a painter at Western Michigan University while her mother owns Vicksburg Optometry.

From the time she was a young girl Kayla was a bustle of activity. She was a talented athlete who began dancing at the young age of three, which continued until she was in sixth grade. Volleyball, basketball, and softball also became sports Kayla enjoyed, although softball was her true passion. She excelled in softball, too, as she played on the varsity team since she was a freshman in high school. Kayla was all regional as a sophomore, all conference as a junior, and played travel ball since she was nine. It was the experience of a lifetime when she was part of the team who won the state championship in fifth grade and again on a team who placed fifth in nationals at Disney World when she was ten. Kayla’s talent didn’t go unnoticed either as she was named tournament MVP when she was 12. Just this past year she was also a cheerleader. Kayla’s devotion to sports was such an inspiration as she would skip going out with friends if she had practice the following day. She had hopes of getting the locks off the softball fields, which would allow serious players to practice at any time, and she also dreamed of bringing a state championship to Vicksburg.

Kayla’s success also extended to her work inside the classroom as she excelled in her studies as well. She was an academic award winner who was also named as a member of the National Honor Society. With a bright future ahead of her, Kayla just received a letter of acceptance to Western Michigan University with dreams of becoming a dentist.

One to keep busy in every moment she had, Kayla filled her life with many other things, too. She worked part-time, first at McDonalds and then at Pizza Hut before more recently helping her mother in the office. She was a fussy eater, but she loved to bake. Kayla loved looking for new recipes to try on Pinterest, and she also cooked dinner for her friend Luke and his family. When it came to music she enjoyed top 40 music in addition to Eminem. Kayla was also very creative and artistic as she could draw well and sew, too.

Everything Kayla did was best when shared with her family and friends. It was a time to remember when she and her family took a vacation to Dominican Republic to watch Neil play baseball, and they also took a trip to Jamaica this past April. Kayla and her brother were very close and rarely had a conflict of any kind. She loved big family get togethers and looked forward to shopping with her aunts and brother on Black Friday every year. Kayla also really got into wrapping all the presents at Christmastime. In addition to Christmas, Halloween and her birthday were also Kayla’s favorite days. She had numerous friends, and among her closest friends were Luke, Kacey, Sarah, and Zoe. Kayla was also close to fellow players on her sports teams. Additionally, Kayla was an animal lover who had several cats and dogs as pets. Her favorite pet was an Australian shepherd named Nokona.

Gentle, kindhearted, and loving, Kayla Davenport was a blessing in the lives of all who were within her reach. She was hardworking, focused, and passionate, which made her successful in whatever she put her mind to. Although Kayla was quiet by nature, she was known to say something totally off the cuff and hilarious at times. She was mature for her age and extremely moral as she could always distinguish between right and wrong. With a constant smile that could brighten up even the darkest of days, Kayla was such a joy to be around. She treasured her family and was happiest when with the ones she loved. Kayla will be deeply missed but never forgotten by all who were blessed to know and love her.

Kayla Davenport, of Vicksburg, died on August 7, 2014. Kayla’s family includes her parents, Michael & Maria; brother, Neil; grandparents: William & Julie Shoop, Don Davenport, and Joyce Meyer as well as numerous aunts and uncles. A memorial gathering will take place on Tuesday, August 12 from 12:00-1:00 at the Vicksburg High School Auditorium. A service will follow at 1:00 at the same location. Please visit Kayla’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a memory or photo and sign her memory book online. Memorial donations can be made to Vicksburg Athletic Boosters or the Humane Society.

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