Phyllis Jacqueline Porter

Phyllis Jacqueline Porter (Jackie) went to her heavenly home on Monday, April 2. She recently celebrated her 98th birthday with her four children, fellow residents and staff at Baysmont House at Asbury Place in Kingsport, TN. Jackie was born on March 19, 1920 in Peoria, IL to Frank and Mildred Weber. She received her degree in Education, with honors at the University of Illinois in Urbana where she met her future husband, John, on a blind date. They were married on December 19, 1942, and had been married for almost 57 years when John died in 1997.John and Jackie made their home in Miami for over 40 years, raising their four children—Susan Ayers, Nancy Bradford (Rick), Tom Porter and Mary Lewis (Clay.) Jackie taught math for 28 years and excelled in tennis, playing with her children as they grew. They were blessed with 25 grandchildren, 39 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. Missing the season changes, John and Jackie moved to Knoxville, TN in 1988. Jackie expressed her love for others through her actions. She took delight in volunteering and serving at her church—Old Cutler Presbyterian in Miami and Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church in Knoxville—where she did many tasks including running the printing press, greeting every Sunday at the reception desk, managing the tape ministry and helping with the woman’s ministry. She showed her love for her family by using her creative talents to generously provide gifts for her family and friends. She started a tradition of knitting Christmas stockings for each new family member added by birth or marriage and they now number almost 80. She made dresses for her three daughters and matching shirts for John and Tom. She was proficient at needlepoint, cross-stitch, stained glass and other crafts, which she used to make Christmas ornaments, gifts for family members at each of the tri-annual reunions that have continued since 1979 as well as numerous birthday, wedding and Christmas gifts. A memorial service is planned for Saturday, April 14 at 3 p.m. at the Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church, 9132 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37923. In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to the Foundation at Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church. The family would like to thank the staff at Baysmont House at Asbury Place for their loving care.The care of Phyllis Porter and her family has been entrusted to Oak Hill Funeral and Cremation Services.Read Obituary