Mildred "Millie" Davenport Strickland was born February 17, 1936 in Washington County, NC, the 8 ^th of 11 children. Millie passed away on September 12, 2021, in Chesapeake, Va. She was the daughter of Callie Hufton Davenport and Hubert Leroy Davenport, Sr formerly of Creswell, NC.

She is survived by her children, James V. Strickland, Jr. (Norfolk, VA) Wendy Strickland Guthrie (St. Cloud, FL), Gregory V. Strickland (Louisa, VA) and Christopher V. Strickland (Virginia Beach, VA). She goes on to watch over her 7 grandchildren; Faith, Meredith, Callie, Mary Allen, Alex, Corey, and Abbey and 5 great grandchildren, Cole, Bay, Carter, Canon, and Christian.

She chose a career in the medical field and became a Medical Laboratory Clinical Technologist and became certified for four different boards for Medical Technologists under the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP). While raising her family, she earned 2 Associate Degrees, one in Science and one in Business Administration. She enjoyed a long 18-year career in the Clinical Laboratory at Louise Obici Memorial Hospital in Suffolk, VA. She then accepted a position as manager of the Clinical Laboratories at Lakeview Clinic in Suffolk, VA and served in that position for 22 years until her retirement.

In addition, Millie was an enthusiastic supporter of music and served as Choir Director of the Adult and Children's Choir at Victory Boulevard Church of Christ in Portsmouth, VA for many years. She had fond memories of singing and traveling with the Gospel Quartet. She later attended Christ's Fellowship in Portsmouth, VA, where she enjoyed going until her health prevented her from driving. Many at Christ Fellowship helped her attend when she could and raised her spirits when they visited her after she moved to an assisted-living facility in Chesapeake, Virginia.  She also had a wonderful relationship with Brenda Rivenbark as they were both best friends and "adopted" family for over 40 years.

The family is very appreciative of those who helped take care of her in her final years including Regina, Shanequa, Kathy, and Mary.

She is also survived by her last living sibling, Ted Davenport of Raleigh, NC.

To my Children: Love one another, be kind, and don't forget to stay in touch.

To my Relatives: Find solace in one another and enjoy the time together.

To my Friends and Neighbors: Thank you for having shown me the beauty and memories that can be found in life.

There will be a family visitation at 2 p.m. and a Celebration of Life Service at 4 p.m. on Saturday, September 18, 2021, at Suffolk Christian Church with Rev. Michael D. Halley officiating.  Burial will be private at Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Suffolk Christian Church, earmarked for the Young at Heart group.  Condolences may be registered online at www.parrfuneralhome.com.