Dennis Porter

Funeral services for Mr. Dennis M. Porter, Sr. will be conducted at 11:00 AM Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at Ebenezer Baptist Church with interment following in the Ebenezer Cemetery.  The Reverend Tom Martin will officiate, assisted by Reverend Mike Aultman.  Mr. Porter, age 75, entered into the eternal rest of his Lord Saturday, February 3, 2024, at the Asbury Hospice House in Hattiesburg.  Saulters Moore Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

The family will receive friends Tuesday evening, February 6, 2024, beginning at 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Saulters Moore Funeral Home.  Mr. Porter will also lie in state 1 hour prior to the funeral service Wednesday at Ebenezer Baptist Church.

Dennis M. Porter was born on July 29, 1948 in Scott County, Mississippi to Ellery Dent and Lillie Mae Prestage Porter.  Raised in Scott County, Dennis attended Morton High School, where he discovered his passion for agriculture. After graduating in 1966, he pursued higher education at Mississippi State University. During his time there, he immersed himself in his studies and successfully earned his Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture. Dennis's dedication to learning did not stop there; he went on to obtain a Master's Degree in Agriculture from Mississippi State as well.  In 1971, immediately after college, Dennis embarked on his teaching career by accepting a position at Scott Central High School. This initial teaching assignment laid the foundation for what would become a lifelong commitment to shaping young minds. The following year, in 1972, he joined Bassfield High School as the Vocational-Agricultural Teacher. For an astounding thirty-five years thereafter, Dennis poured his heart and soul into guiding and nurturing the students who entered his classroom.

At Bassfield High School, Dennis wasn't limited to just his role as a teacher; he also served as the assistant High School Baseball Coach during the early 1990s.  Beyond academia and coaching, Dennis possessed a variety of hobbies and interests that added vibrancy to his life. In his younger years, he found joy in coon hunting and even trained coon hounds—an activity that brought him closer to nature. Furthermore, Dennis was an accomplished athlete who loved playing softball on several leagues. As time went on, he took up the game of golf and embraced it with the same passion and competitiveness that defined everything he did.

Dennis M. Porter will forever be remembered as a teacher who went above and beyond for his students. His dedication to their success extended far beyond the classroom, as he instilled in them the values of hard work, integrity, and perseverance. Dennis had a unique ability to connect with his students, creating an environment that fostered growth and instilled confidence.  His impact on the lives he touched cannot be overstated. Former students will remember him not only as an exceptional educator but also as a mentor and friend. Dennis's legacy will live on through the countless individuals he inspired to pursue their dreams, to be kind-hearted, and to always strive for excellence.  He was a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church.  

Mr. Porter is preceded in death by his parents, Dent and Lillie Mae Porter.

His memory will forever be cherished by his beloved wife of 50 years, Donna Hatton Porter of Bassfield; 2 sons, Dennis Merrell Porter, Jr. (Miranda) of Bassfield and Timothy Porter (Sarah) of Salt Lake City, UT.  The legacy of her Pawpaw will also live on through his precious granddaughter, Abby Porter.

Online condolences and a guest registry are available at www.saultersmoorefuneralhome.com