Jimmy Porter

Jimmy M. Porter

Crystal Springs

Jimmy M. Porter, 86, died Sunday, August 28, 2011 at Copiah Living Center in Crystal Springs. Visitation will be Tuesday from 1-3 at Stringer Family Funeral Home in Crystal Springs. Services will be 3pm Tuesday at Stringer Family Chapel with burial in the Crystal Springs Cemetery.

Mr. Porter was born on November 18, 1924 to Rex and Eugenia Porter in Crystal Springs. He lived his entire life in Crystal Springs except for years he was in the service. Immediately upon his graduation from high school in 1943, he and most all of his graduating class were inducted into military service at Camp Shelby, MS.

Upon returning from service with the Army Air Ways Communication System in the Army Air Corps in Puerto Rico and British Guiana, he eventually formed his business known as "Porter Products." He built cabinets, magazine racks and sold Fedders air conditioners for many years.

He married Lena Harrell in 1947 and they had two children, Betsy and Mark. After Lena's death, he married Ollie Kate Green.

Mr. Porter has been a lifelong and faithful member of First Baptist Church, Crystal Springs. He has served on many committees of the church and especially the trustee committee. In the early years he taught the 12 year old boys Sunday School class. He was co-building chairman of the FBC parsonage and also the co-building chairman of Copiah Academy in 1970. He served as city alderman for 8 years during the 1960's. He was a founding member of the Crystal Springs Volunteer Fire Dept. and was building chairman of the first fire dept. building which is still in use today.

In his younger years, he enjoyed camping and managed to visit all states and three Canadian provinces during his traveling days.

He leaves his wife of 25 years, Ollie Kate Porter, his children Betsy Miller of Crystal Springs and Mark Porter of Kansas City; step children, Kathryn Dawkins and husband Mike of Madison, Susan Ahlrich and husband Randy of Madison and Bliss Green of Huntsville, AL; brother, John Frank Porter of Clinton; grandchildren, Jessie Miller of Crystal Springs, Jonathan Miller and wife Stephanie of Crystal Springs; Katie, Molly and Pete Dawkins of Madison, Abbey and Drew Ahlrich of Madison, and Madison and Caitlyn Porter of Kansas City; great grandchild, Braxton Miller of Crystal Springs; nephews, Jackie Oden and Harry Porter; niece, Eilen Burroughs.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation to First Baptist Church, Crystal Springs Building Fund or your favorite charity.