Storeroom Clerk Turns Heartache Into Hope

From pencils to bus parts, if you need it, Hampton Roads Transit Storeroom Clerk Kathy Davenport is the one to get it. If you’re having a bad day and need some encouragement, Kathy can take care of that too. ?

Which is remarkable considering she has seen more than her share of tragedy. Kathy’s only son was killed in an accident back in 2018. Lorenzo Davenport was hit by a car while crossing Hampton Boulevard. He died five days short of his 27th birthday. He was just months away from joining the Merchant Seaman. ?

Kathy said one thing that helped in the days and weeks following her son’s death, were her coworkers. She said they played a big part in her grieving process. Being around them, having somewhere to go and focus her attention helped a lot. ?

Lorenzo wasn’t just Kathy’s only son, he was her only child, leaving a void nothing could ever fill. Now, she helps other parents in need by stepping in at work, to help colleagues who need to stay home with a sick little one or leave early due to a family emergency. She understands better than most, just how important it is to be there for family. ?

This March will mark 6 years at HRT for Kathy. For the first three years she was a Cleaner. And Kathy knows a thing or two about that. She spent nearly 20 years in House Keeping at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, working her way up to Team Lead Supervisor. For several years she worked both jobs, only recently leaving Sentara to focus on growing her career here at HRT. ?

Kathy has already learned to operate a forklift, but she has her sights set on something bigger. She’s studying to get her CDL permit and wants to eventually take a bus operator training course. Kathy said she sees herself eventually retiring from HRT. ?

For now, she’s happy in her current role in the storeroom. She says the best part of the job is getting to meet so many people from across the agency. Because everyone eventually needs something from the storeroom.

So, if you haven’t met her yet, take time to visit the storeroom, and introduce yourself to Kathy. You’ll be glad you did.?