Obituary of Dorothy Harral

Funeral services for Dorothy Chapman Davenport Harral, 95, were at the First Baptist Church in Abernathy, TX at 10:00am Thursday, October 20, 2011. Pastor Mike O'Donnell and Rev. Joel Perez will officiate. The family received friends at Abell Funeral Home, Wednesday from 6:00 pm until 7:30 pm. Burial followed in Abernathy Cemetery at the side of Buford F. Davenport, under the direction of Abell Funeral Home and Flower Shop of Abernathy, TX. Dorothy passed away Sunday, October 16, 2011 at her home surrounded by family. She was born September 17, 1916, in Johnson County, Texas, to W.V. and Anna Mae (Wade) Chapman. She moved to Abernathy in February 1932 with her parents and three older brothers. She graduated from Abernathy High School in 1935, and was a member of the Lady Lopes' basketball, volleyball and tennis teams. Dorothy attended Texas Tech, and served 24 years as secretary of the Abernathy Ex-Students Association. Dorothy Chapman and Buford Davenport were married December 31, 1937. Buford passed away October 13, 1991, at U.M.C. Hospital after four years of cancer treatments at M.D. Anderson, in Houston, and U.M.C. Hospital in Lubbock. Buford and Dorothy celebrated 53 wonderful years together. They worked side by side as Editor and Publisher of The Abernathy Weekly Review for 47 years and shared the joy of one loving daughter, Vicki, and son-in-law, Richard Havens, of Lubbock. Also surviving are Dorothy's five grandchildren and ten loving great-grandchildren: Mark and Brenda Havens, Ross and Abbey Jo Havens , Brant and Allison Havens, all of Canyon; Jill Havens and Susan Coultas of Alvarado; Lori and George Rogers of Lubbock; Gordon and Jerri Ann Havens, Haley, Shelbey and Darbey of Abernathy; Kara and Ret. Navy Commander Michael Nick, Zachary, Peyton and Kaitlin of Borger; two sisters-in -law, Laverne Fry and Mauricette Rutledge, both of Lubbock, and a brother-in-law, Harold Rutledge of Poteet. She is also survived by numerous and beloved nieces and nephews, and a multitude of friends. Dorothy married a dear friend, Paul Harral, on June 19, 1992, sharing nine happy years together. Paul passed away September 2001 at age 92. He was born and reared on a farm west of Abernathy. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husbands, Buford Davenport and Paul Harral; her parents, three brothers, Douglas Chapman and wife Jennie, Colonel Wilson Chapman and wife Mary, and W.B. (Dick) Chapman and wife Wanda, and her faithful little dog Prissy. Dorothy was a member of First Baptist Church, was a charter member of the Abernathy Junior Study Club and was a member of the Lions Club. She worked as a bookkeeper at Thompson Implement for 14 years. She loved all things 'Abernathy.' One of the greatest joys of her life was getting to watch her great-granddaughters, Haley and Shelbey Havens, play for the Lady Lopes' basketball team. The family wants to express their appreciation to Integra-Care Hospice for the care they provided. The family suggests memorials be sent to the Abernathy Ex-Students Assoc., Box 1, Abernathy, TX 79311. Abell Funeral Home