Mrs. Porter attended Suffolk City Public Schools and was a graduate of Norfolk State College (University) where she received her Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Special Education in 1973. She is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. She received many awards including an award for outstanding leader in secondary education from the City of Suffolk. She taught at various elementary schools in Suffolk and retired from Elephant’s Fork Elementary School in 1986 after 37 years of teaching. She was the owner and operator of Catherine’s Florist from 1986 to 2005. She was a member of Bethlehem Christian Church from childhood to the present date. At Bethlehem, she served as Church Clerk and a member of the senior choir. She was also a member of East Suffolk Gardens Civic League.
She leaves to cherish her memories six sons, Ronald C. Johnson (Shirley), Larry Johnson (Joyce) both of Suffolk, Reginald Johnson (Juliet), Lafayette Porter both of Portsmouth, Richard Porter (Katherine) and James Porter both of Connecticut; sixteen grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren; one daughter-in-law, Christine Johnson Fenner; one brother-in-law, David Dunning of Washington, D.C.; two sisters-in-law, Rose Garner of Brooklyn, NY and Lily Johnson of Hopewell, VA; a devoted cousin, Ms. Ada Miller; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
A funeral service will be held Thursday, February 4, 2009 at 12 o’clock noon at Bethlehem Christian Church, 312 Bute Street, Suffolk officiated by Pastor Emanuel Myrick, Jr. Interment will be at Carver Memorial Cemetery. Crocker Funeral Home, Inc. is handling the arrangements.
