Faye Porter Obituary
Obituary published on Legacy.com by Care Cremation & Funeral Service - Eastland Drive on Sep. 30, 2025.
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Faye Holcomb Porter, July 28, 1933- September 21, 2025
Faye was born on a Friday in Berea, KY. As the old poem goes, Friday's child is loving and giving. She fulfilled that by giving her time and many talents to those people and causes she loved. Her father Ellis Holcomb was a pharmacist who owned a drug store in McKee. He and her mother Grace were often manning the lunch counter. Her parents taught Faye generosity by giving poor people free coffee while they waited for their prescriptions. At the age of 14, Faye passed her driver's test so she could deliver prescriptions. She always remembered the KY State Trooper who gave her the test. At 16, she sang and danced in "The Song of Norway" at a UK summer drama camp. Later she graduated from UK & was a lifelong Wildcat fan. Faye taught debate at Henry Clay as well as history and English at Lafayette. She married Thomas J. Porter, III and was his partner in business & charitable work. in 1974 she was licensed to sell insurance with their 100 year old family firm, the Tom Porter Insurance Agency. They were very active in the Fayette County Independent Agents Chapter.
Along with several other couples, they were asked by Central Christian Church to start Crestwood Christian. They were very active there for decades. She was an icon in Lexington and left a legacy of good deeds. Faye was President of the Philharmonic Guild three times, Ball Chair twice, and voted a Life Member. She was also a Life Member of the Philharmonic Society. After she & Tom attended Atlanta's Picnic with the Pops, she brought that idea to Lexington. Mayor Scotty Baesler agreed and asked her to spearhead it. Along with former Mayor James Amato, she created the Picnic with the Pops Commission in 1982 and served on that board from 1982-2004. She served on various Pop's committees hoping to establish an amphitheater. After it was successful, there were rumors that some wanted to bring in famous orchestras. She gave an address to the Council pleading that the Lexington Philharmonic must always be the centerpiece of the Pops. They voted to affirm this. She tirelessly promoted it & the Philharmonic. With Lucille Little she worked on the Lexington Children's Theater and was a past President. With the Metropolitan Woman's Club, she helped with the Miss Lexington pageant. When Deauville, France became a Sister City, Faye was part of the Lexington delegation sent to celebrate. She enjoyed playing tennis and golf. Always seeking to make Lexington a better place to live, she tirelessly worked with the Lexington Country Club activities, especially the swim team; the Town & Country Garden Club at the Hunt Morgan House; the Blue Grass Trust Antique Show and Christmas in the Park; the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation Gala Board for the Chinese and English exhibits and balls; the 2004 Equus benefit; the 2010 FEI Committee at the Horse Park; the National Society of Arts and Letters; the Living Arts and Science Center Board; Past President of the Center for Creative Living; YWCA and Spouse Abuse Center boards; Chaired the Senior Citizens' Health Clinic for the LFUCG Health Department; Founder and Past President of the Lexington Council of the Arts; United Way Board; Opera House Re-opening Committee; the Decorators' Showcase; the Debutante Ball, the UK Fellows; & Arts Place. Faye lit up a room when she entered it, so was indispensable at parties and club meetings. Her gift of hospitality shone in making new people feel welcome and getting them involved. She posted in her kitchen a quote from Henri Frèdèric Amiel, "Life is short and we do not have much time to gladden the hearts of those who travel the way with us. So be swift to love and make haste to be kind." Even when Faye turned 92 in the hospital, she didn't want her age revealed. She told the nurses, "If a woman will tell her age, she'll tell anything!" They were all in stitches.
She and Tom welcomed two children into their home who survive her, son Thomas J. Porter, IV (Jeff), and daughter, Lynn Porter Bernhard of Stewartstown, PA. She leaves 3 grandchildren, Danielle, Alex and Merle. She is also survived by a brother-in-law, David R. Porter, sister-in-law, Dea C. Porter of Chattanooga, a nephew, David R. Porter, Jr. and a niece, Dea Porter as well as cousins Donella and Cathy Holcomb and David and Beth Porter of Lexington. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Cecil, her husband Tom, many cousins, and close friends. The world should be a better place because a person has lived. Faye fulfilled that adage in her long, productive life.
Services will be held at Crestwood Christian Church on Thursday October 2nd with visitation at 10:00, memorial at 11:00. and reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Lexington Philharmonic or any of her other charities.
Care Cremation and Funeral Service is honored to be entrusted with final care.