Oct. 20, 1944 — July 23, 2014

NATCHEZ — Graveside services for Charles Wayne Davenport, 69, of Natchez, who died Wednesday, July 23, 2014, at Franklin County Memorial Hospital, will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the Natchez National Cemetery with the Rev. David O’Connor officiating.

Burial will follow in the cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Mr. Davenport was born Oct. 20, 1944, in Gunter, Texas, the son of Joseph Lee Davenport and Cora Mae Rains Davenport.

He attended the University of Texas at Arlington.

He served two years in the U.S. Army as a specialist fourth class from 1965-1967, during which time he served as a communications specialist in Vietnam.

A licensed interior designer, he worked with his partner to establish Reagan Carraway Interiors, Inc. of Dallas, where the firm was responsible for many elegant interiors in the Turtle Creek area.

In Natchez, they assisted Margaret Marshall in her restoration of Lansdowne and consulted with numerous Natchez residents regarding historic interiors. He, along with his partner, had the historic home Heckler Manor moved from Rodney, to Natchez in order for it to be saved and restored.

Mr. Davenport will be missed by his many friends in Natchez, especially those who joined him at “Charles’ Table” at the Natchez Coffee Company in the morning and at the Carriage House for Friday lunch.

He will be remembered for his always dapper attire, dry wit and erudition on a variety of subjects, including the decorative arts, fashion, European history, Greek mythology, luxury automobiles, premium vodkas, and of course, the decorative and architectural history of Natchez, his adopted home.

Mr. Davenport was preceded in death by his parents; and his life partner, Reagan James Carraway Jr.

Survivors include four brothers, Rayford Lee Davenport, Ronald Gene Davenport, Billy Glen Davenport and Paul Weldon Davenport; two sisters, Janice Kay Gore, and Patricia Ann Newell; his Natchez family at Lansdowne; and Andrew Baker and Chris Adams, who were like sons to him.

Memorials may be sent to the Natchez Humane Society or any charity of choice.