Ruth Lenora Porter

Our beloved mother and grandmother, Ruth Lenora "Noni" Barber Porter, 89 passed away on January 30, 2026, at her home surrounded by her loving family. Ruth was born on October 9, 1936, in Topeka, Kansas to Etta Mae Riley Barber and Harry R. Barber Sr.

Ruth attended Topeka Public Schools. On February 24, 1952, she married her soulmate and the love of her life, Stuart E. Porter Sr. To their union seven children were born, five girls and two boys.

Ruth was employed for 17 years with the Veterans of America in Topeka, KS, as a Transporter. She loved her job and it brought her great joy in serving Veterans at the VA hospital. After retiring from the Veterans of America, she returned and volunteered for several more years.

Ruth dedicated her life to her family. Being a matriarch of her family, her kind and generous heart touched everyone she knew.

She always had a story to share about her family because she loved her family, especially her grandchildren, and wanted them to know where they came from and who their family was. If you wanted to know about family history, all you needed to do is sit at her feet because she was going to let you know about family history to carry it down through the generations to come.

Ruth is leaving behind a legacy of pure love, sarcasm and sass. Whether she was winning by finding great deals at garage sales or cooking her famous dishes, such as fried catfish, mashed potatoes and peach cobbler, she lived life on her own terms. She took pride in preparing meals to celebrate holidays and family reunions with her family so everybody could eat and enjoy their time together.

Ruth's husband Stuart E. Porter passed away on August 12, 1998. One of the many special moments of her life was when her late husband bought her a red 1996 Cadillac DeVille Sedan, right off the showroom floor. She always cherished memories of him and their families.

Ruth is preceded in death by her parents: Etta Mae Riley Barber and Harry R. Barber Sr.; daughters, DeAnna Porter, Brenda Porter and Carolyn Porter-Zapata; one sister, Barbara Stevens; three brothers, Otis Barber, Harry R. Barber, Jr. and Albert Thompson; seven grandsons, Corey E. Brown, Shannon D. Brown, LaShawn R. Akins, Corron S. Baker, TeVon D. Stokes, Reginald A. Moten III and Tremel T. Porter; one great-granddaughter, Jayla Ari Akins.

Those who celebrate her legacy are two sons; Stuart E. Porter Jr. and Markale T. Porter (Lee Doris); two daughters, Terrella M. Porter-Akins and Rhonda D. Porter-Moten, all of Topeka, Kansas; one sister, Gwendolyn P. Barber-Hunter, Sacramento, CA. A host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members and friends.