Mary Porterfield

Mary Dudley Porterfield GLADE SPRING, Va. Mary Dudley Porterfield, age 90, a well-known resident of Washington County, Va., died Tuesday night, Jan. 31, 2012, in Johnston Memorial Hospital. Born on Christmas Day, 1921, Mary Dudley Porterfield was a daughter of the late Alexander Snodgrass Payne and Mary Dudley McLaurin Payne of Bolton, Miss. Mrs. Porterfield attended All Saints Episcopal High School in Vicksburg, Miss.; Belhaven College in Jackson, Miss. and the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Miss. While attending the University of Mississippi, she met Charles Vance of Abingdon. World War II had begun and Mr. Vance who was serving in the U.S. Army Air Force was undergoing training in Mississippi. After their first meeting, Mr. Vance received notice to proceed to Europe and was unable to contact Mary for some time. During the war years, Mary Dudley lived in New York and modeled. In one instance she and a fellow model were assigned to row a rubber dingy around the pool at Rockefeller Center. After the war Mary Dudley and Charles Vance renewed contact. She and Mr. Vance married in 1948 and moved into the Tavern, the oldest building in the town of Abingdon, built in 1779. They operated an antique store in the building and Mr. Vance taught in the local school. Mr. Vance passed away in 1963. Two years later, Mary Dudley purchased the Tavern from its owners, the Thaddeus Harris family. Following the death of Mr. Vance, Robert Porterfield who was the founder of the Barter Theatre offered Mary Dudley a job heading the Friends of the Barter organization. During this time she also worked for the Washington County Chamber of Commerce. She and Robert Porterfield married in 1964. Mrs. Porterfield devoted considerable time and energy to Twin Oaks farm, the property Mr. Porterfield owned outside of Glade Spring. Robert Porterfield passed away in 1971. She was a proud and grand lady. Her determination and true grit were evident, making her an inspiration to all who knew her. She loved her family of friends without reserve and will be greatly missed by all. She is survived by her son, Jay Porterfield and wife, Wilma, of Glade Spring; grandson, Robert Porterfield of Glade Spring; great-grandson, Dylan Porterfield; great-granddaughter, Layla Lamie; two step-grandsons; and two step-granddaughters. Mrs. Porterfield is also survived by her niece, Mary Louise Payne McBee and her children and grandchildren all of Covington, La., two nephews, Edward Payne, Neil Payne and his children all of Jackson, Miss.; two great-nieces, Katherine Vance Clark of Glade Spring and Rosalie Vance Miller of Edenton, N.C.; special caregiver, Glenna Fields; special family member, Walter L. Mahala; her dear friends, Dr. Jonathan Swank and wife, Marie; and a lifelong friend, John Gregory. The funeral service for Mary Dudley Porterfield will be held at 3 o'clock on Saturday afternoon, Feb. 4, 2012, at Old Glade Presbyterian Church, where Mrs. Porterfield was a member and president of the women's circle. The Rev. Tim Byrd will be officiating. The committal service and interment will follow at Knollkreg Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be Emmitt Yeary, Richard Rose, Walter Mahala, Philip McFarlane, Charlie Clark and Dr. Jonathan Swank. At the request of Mrs. Porterfield there will be no formal visitation prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Barter Theatre, Mary Dudley Porterfield Scholarship at P.O. Box 867, Abingdon, VA, 24212. A book of memories is provided online at www.frostfuneralhome.com Frost Funeral Home, 250 E. Main St., Abingdon, VA, is honored to serve the family of Mary Dudley Porterfield.