Norma Jean (Perkins) Davenport

Norma Jean (Perkins) Davenport of Kalamazoo, MI,




Norma, age 71, died Sunday afternoon, July 19, 2015 at Kairos Dwelling Hospice Residence of Kalamazoo, following a brief illness.


Norma, the daughter of Harold Edward and Ruby Lorraine (Schmidt) Perkins, was born in Kalamazoo on February 2, 1944; was a lifetime area resident and 1962 graduate of Climax-Scotts High School. She graduated from Tracy's Beauty Academy; had been a hairdresser for over fifty years and was the Owner and Operator of The Hair Den in Richland, MI for the past forty years. Norma enjoyed her trips to Las Vegas; worked with stained glass, made lamps, wall hangings and jewelry and was adept at knitting, crocheting, needlework and many different crafts. She was an avid reader; was a clown aficionado and enjoyed making animal balloons. Norma, a Red Hat Lady, had been a member of the Richland Downtown Development Authority and supported Pet Rescue Organizations.


Surviving is her son, Shane A. Davenport of Kalamazoo; her sister, Harriett Grannan of Kalamazoo; her brother, John (Donna) Perkins of Scotts, MI and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Norma was preceded in death by her parents;; a sister, Beverly Smith; a nephew, Thomas E. Joslyn; Shane's partner, Don Mickles and her best friend from high school, Linda Commissaris.


The Memorial Service to celebrate Norma's life will be held on Monday, July 27th at 3:00 p.m. at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Richland Chapel, 9170 East D Avenue (M-89) with her niece, the Rev. Dr. Mona K. Joslyn, officiating. Norma's family will greet friends from 2:00 p.m. until service time at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Norma's honor may be directed to Kairos Dwelling (Hospice Residence), 2645 Gull Road, Kalamazoo, MI 49048.