Magdalene (Batcha) Davenport

Magdalene (Batcha) Davenport, 90, a retired Bourbon County High School teacher, widow of Carlton Prince Davenport, died Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at University of Kentucky Medical Center. She was born September 18, 1925 in Marblehead, Ohio, daughter of the late John and Anna Groholy Batcha. Magdalene attended Danbury-Lakeside High School and receiver her Bachelor's Degree in Spanish, English, and Physical Education from Bowling Green (OH) State University. At Bowling Green, she was inducted into National Mortar Board Society, named Outstanding Senior Woman, and was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority. A fine natural musician, she also played in the University Orchestra. Magdalene met her husband for life, Carlton, while they were both students at Bowling Green. They were married in 1947 at St. Mary Byzantine Rite Church in Marblehead. Magdalene and Carlton then settled in Marblehead in 1950, and started their family there. In the early 1960's, Magdalene became the first full time Women's Physical Education Teacher at Danbury-Lakeside High School and founded several student PE clubs. In 1965, Magdalene and Carlton and their boys (David, Robert, John, and Thomas) relocated to Paris, Kentucky where all four boys matriculated from Bourbon County High School. Carlton worked for the Army centered at Lexington Bluegrass Army Depot and Magdalene taught Spanish, English, and PE in the Bourbon County School system until her retirement in 1986. While at Bourbon County, she developed a very large Spanish program and was instrumental in in forming the Spanish Club. She had several students place highly in both State and National Spanish Competitions. Over the years, she and her students made several educational trips to Spain and Mexico. Other organizations in which Magdalene was a member include Bourbon County Homemakers, Alpha Delta Kappa retired teacher's sorority, and a Docent for the Historic Paris-Bourbon County Museum. She was also named an Honorary Kentucky Colonel. She was a member of the Church of the Annunciation in Paris. An avid bridge player, Magdalene was a regular member of her card club throughout all her years in Paris and counted her fellow bridge club members as some of her dearest friends. Magdalene always considered her numerous friends, dear teaching colleagues, and caring former students in Central Kentucky a special blessing and cherished both their company and their kindness. Magdalene is survived by her four sons, David Davenport, Paris, Kentucky, Robert (Roberta) Davenport, Lenox Dale, Massachusetts, John Michael (Connie) Davenport, Miamisburg, Ohio, Thomas Davenport, Mukwonago, Wisconsin; five grandchildren, Jennifer, Kirsten, Gregory, Emily, and Andrew Davenport; and a sister-in-law, Eleanor Batcha, Marblehead, Ohio. Visitation will be held at the Neidecker, LeVeck & Crosser Funeral Home, 7755 E. Harbor Road, Lakeside-Marblehead on Sunday, January 17, 2016 from 2-5pm where Parastas Services will begin at 4:30pm. On Monday, January 18, additional visitation will be held at St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church, 506 E. Main Street, Marblehead from 9am until the Panachida Service at 9:45am. The Office of Christian Burial will follow at 10am with Reverend Robert Kelly officiating. Burial will follow in St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Cemetery, Marblehead. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church, or to one's favorite charity. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.neideckerleveckcrosser.com