Shantina Lashey Davenport

“Devoted to Faith, Family, Friends and Profession”

“As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness”. Psalm 17:15 KJV
Shantina Davenport was a woman of faith. Faith in the unconditional love she showered on her children to nurture and sustain them. Faith in the healing power and restorative value of unconditional love. Faith in the strength of the Lord and the salvation of the Holy Spirit.

Friends and family remember her soft-spoken nature accompanied by a sly smile, giggle and sparkle in the eye that put everyone at ease. Unselfish to a fault, she put others before herself and gave everyone the benefit of the doubt. But, don’t let her soft-spoken nature fool you, she was a born entrepreneur who loved closing the deal on a bargain or “negotiating to yes”.

Shantina Lashey Davenport, 49, of Saginaw Township, was called home on Wednesday, September 29, 2021 at her home. She was born June 29, 1972 in Muskegon, a much-loved daughter of Lynne Harris and the late Alvin Butts.

Her love of learning resulted in a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration from Central Michigan University, and a Masters of Business Administration from Franklin University. At an early age, it was easy to see she was ambitious, project-minded and detail-oriented.

June 28, 2003, she married her “one true love” the late Jason R. Davenport, Sr., MD. With her beautiful daughters, Sakayla and Alexandria in tow, they began an idyllic life in the greater Columbus, Ohio area. To this union, the Davenports were blessed with a bouncing baby boy, Jason Jr., and a princess, Janae. A devoted, loving, and caring wife and mother, Shantina adored her children and wanted them to realize their greatest potential. In Rockford, Illinois, they were often seen at sporting events, carpooling, or cheering enthusiastically and coaching their children from the sidelines. While in Rockford, she landed her first “real job” as a personnel administrator in the public schools.

In 2014, when Jason landed his “dream job” at Central Michigan University, Fire Up Chips!, a Division 1 University, the young family moved to Midland, Michigan. After getting everyone settled, Shantina was ready to get back in the workforce, doing the human resources work she loved. In 2015, Shantina joined The Dow Chemical Company where she was initially employed as a Human Resources Specialist with expertise in employee relocations, and later promoted to Human Resources Manager. She loved helping families during these transitions, which oftentimes are exciting and trying experiences. In January 2021, she joined the HR Team at UMBRAGROUP at the Linear Motion Plant in Saginaw, Michigan as a Human Resources Manager. Excited about this new opportunity, she spoke highly of her new coworkers and was looking forward to contributing to the success of the business.

Shantina saw people as unique and individual; no lumping you in with “the others”. Her ability to personalize relationships with ease while respecting boundaries was an asset in human resources.

Along the way, she joined Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Alpha Sigma Omega Chapter in Columbus, Ohio in May 2008. Since 2015, she has been an active member of Mu Alpha Omega Chapter in Midland, Michigan where she has served as chair of the fundraising committee, and assistant secretary for the chapter. She loved her “pink and green”!

In October 2018, she became a charter member of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., Great Lakes Bay Region Chapter where she served as teen advisor. She was a mentor and inspiration to her children, and to all children. This was one of the many ways she gave back to her community.

She is survived by her children: son Jason, Jr., daughters: Sakayla, Alexandria, and Janae, and grandson: Keary Dillard, Jr. Shantina is also survived by her mother: Lynne Harris, grandmother: Helen Alcorn, sisters: Katrina Harris and Deannette Mason, aunts: Yvonne Williams and Deborah Hollis, niece: Saniya Harris, and nephews: Donavan Oakes-Harris and William Hector all of Muskegon Heights, mother-in-law: Kaye Lyons, brother-in-law: Sean (Lakeshia) Washington, and niece: Khaleesi Washington, all of Detroit.

If you really wanted to see Shantina smile, ask about KJ, her grandson...the world’s smartest and cutest baby (all of it from her, of course). Being a G-Mom was one of the many highlights of her life. Uniquely the glue that held her family together, she was unconditionally loved and will be missed every day.

Interment will take place in United Memorial Gardens in Plymouth, Michigan at 1:00pm on Saturday, October 9th.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s Ivy Beyond the Wall Ceremony and Jack and Jill’s Memorial Service for Departed Mother will be held at 4:00pm, Thursday, October 7, 2021 at Paradise Funeral Chapel.

Shantina’s family ask that you consider making a charitable donation to the MAO Endowed Fund, MACF, 76 Ashman Circle, Midland, Michigan 48640 or the Underground Railroad, 5647 State Street, Saginaw, Michigan 48603 (designee – Shantina Davenport), or to a charity of your choice.