Sarah Porter Obituary

Betty PorterAugust 8, 1925 - May 7, 2023Sarah Elizabeth (always known as Betty) Kirby Porter was a lifelong resident of Clarksdale, Mississippi. She was born at the old Clarksdale Hospital on August 8, 1925. Visitation is to be held Thursday, May 11, 2023 at 10:30am to 11:30am at The First Presbyterian Church in Clarksdale, MS. Funeral service is to follow on Thursday, May 11, at 11:30am at The First Presbyterian Church. Meredith-Nowell Funeral Home in Clarksdale, MS is handling the arrangements. Educated in the local public schools, she graduated from Clarksdale High School in the class of 1943. She attended Mississippi State College for Women (MSCW) for two years, where she was a member of the Lockhearts social club. She then graduated in 1948 from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, where she was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority. She spent six months between her time at MSCW and the University of Alabama in Washington, DC, working for the State Department as a "government girl" during the last few months of World War II. She returned to Clarksdale after college graduation and worked as a teller at the Coahoma Bank. She spent a couple years living in New Orleans and working in the ticket office for Eastern Air Lines. She married Leon Porter, Jr. , in 1956. She continued as an active member of the church where she grew up, First Presbyterian Church in Clarksdale, teaching Sunday School and Bible School for a decade and serving as president and in other roles with the Women of the Church. She was an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and served as regent and treasurer of the local chapter. She was an original member of the Presbyterian Day School board when the school was founded in 1970 and served as secretary for 13 years. She spent over 40 years working at the polls when elections were held, and she also helped out at the Care Station. She was steadfastly dedicated to her family, her church, and her community. She was preceded in death by her parents, Judge R. H. "Tam" Kirby, Alma Rae Kirby, and stepmother Louise Bobo Kirby; and her dear husband, Leon Porter, Jr. She leaves behind her daughter, Mary Evelyn Feazel of Colliervillle, TN; her grandson Edward Feazel (Jenni) of Houston, TX; and her great grandson, Porter James Feazel of Houston, TX. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to First Presbyterian Church or to a local charity of the givers choice.