I, Dorothy Chapman Sulton Davenport was born in Little Mountain, Newberry County, South Carolina. I was the seventh of eight children born to Leo and Viola Kelly Chapman.

I attended and was a member of Mt. Zion AME Church in Little Mountain where I grew up. I attended the two-room Little Mountain Elementary School with a wood heater outside both rooms from first through third grades. From there, I went to Harbison School in Irmo, South Carolina where I lived with my aunt. I finished the seventh grade at Harbison. The school was destroyed by fire. After the destruction of the school, I moved with my older sister and attended Howard Junior High in Prosperity, South Carolina. After finishing Howard Junior High, I began working as a domestic worker.

Growing up, my parents were sharecroppers. I have hoed cotton, picked cotton and all the rest on a farm.

A few years passed and I married Carl Sulton and traveled briefly with my husband in the military. We had two beautiful girls-Linda Sulton McHone and Dorothy Sulton Roberson. In 1952 my husband passed so I moved my family to Columbia so we could be near better schools and colleges for my girls to attend. I also raised a nephew, Thomas Chapman, who grew up in the home. After the death of my husband, I continued to work as a single parent to care for my family.

In December 1961, I married Calvin Davenport, Jr. In 1964 the Lord blessed us with a wonderful son, Calvin Davenport, III.

I continued to work to help provide for the family. I have worked for AAFES (Army Air Force Exchange Service) for seven years. I worked for Richland School District One as a Liaison Worker for Title One Services and as a paraprofessional with special needs children. I retired from Richland School District One after thirty years of service.

Continuing your education has always been something I encouraged in everyone. So, I enrolled in night school to complete my high school education to receive my diploma. Then I attended Preston College in Columbia, South Carolina and received my nursing assistant certificate.

I am a member of Saint John Baptist Church where Reverend Jamey O. Graham is my Pastor. I joined Saint John under the leadership of Reverend Roscoe C. Wilson. I am a member of the Saint John Gospel Choir, Adult Senior Sunday School class, Sally Boular Circle, Gist/McLawhorn/Reid/Jordan Family Ministry Unit, Shepherd Center of Eau Claire Seniors, Emmanuel Senior Fellowship, Greenview Exercise Seniors, Saint John Seniors, Cleopatra OES#240, Mr. Ken's Senior Stars Bowling League and the City Baptist Jubilee Choir.

Lastly, I work inside my home very little because I love to work outside. I love gardening. I mow my yard, cut shrubbery, rake leaves, and anything else that needs to be done around the house. God has blessed me so wonderfully in every way. I give Him all the honor and praises.