Willa M. Davenport

March 23, 1925 - August 16, 2013

Willa M. Davenport, 88, of Marienville, passed away Friday morning, August 16, 2013, at the Clarion Hospital.   Born March 23, 1925 in Paden City, WV; she was the daughter of Paul Ripley and Olive Cora Myers Murdock.   She was first married to Wilmon Morgan Dixon, who preceded her in death.  She was married on December 17, 1965 to Otis M. Davenport, preceded her in death on June 7, 2009.   A veteran of the U.S. Navy, she served as a Seaman First Class during WWII.   Willa was a homemaker and was a home health care worker.   She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Marienville.   Willa enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and attending family picnics.   She is survived by five children, David Dixon and wife, Pierrette, of Canton, GA; Carol Ruhlman and husband, Virgel, of Marienville; Marsha Silvis and Robert Selker of Clarion; Richard Dixon and wife, Chris, of Marienville; and Gloria Conboy of Erie; and two step-children,  Robin Heasley and husband, Ronald, of Leeper, and Otis Davenport and wife, Linda, of Jeanette.   Also surviving are a brother, Paul Murdock, two sisters, Peg McFarland and Wanda Metz, thirteen grandchildren, nineteen great grandchildren, three great great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.   In addition to her parents and husbands, she was preceded in death by a brother, Jim Murdock; and two sisters, Jean Sockman Lappert and Eileen Fredricks Keller.   Family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. on Tuesday, August 20, 2013at the First Presbyterian Church, Marienville. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. with Rev. Boyd Edmonson, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Marienville, officiating. Interment will be held in the North Forest Cemetery, where military honors will accorded by VFW Post 1424 of Marienville following funeral services.   The family suggests that donations be made to Clarion Forest VNA Hospice, 271 Perkins Road, Clarion PA 16214; or to the First Presbyterian Church, Chestnut Street, Marienville.