Catherine Garner Porter

Catherine G. Porter SUFFOLK - On Jan. 29, 2009, the Lord called home to rest Mrs. Catherine Garner Porter of 1102 Custis Road. Mrs. Porter was born Nov. 12, 1925, to the late Jesse and Georgetta Garner in Nansemond County. Besides her parents, Mrs. Porter was predeceased by her husband, John Porter; son, Michael Johnson; and daughter, Edith Barrett. Mrs. Porter attended Suffolk City Public Schools and was a graduate of Norfolk State College (University) where she received her Bachelor's Degree of Science in special education in 1973. She is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. She received many awards including an award for outstanding leader in secondary education from the City of Suffolk. She taught at various elementary schools in Suffolk and retired from Elephant's Fork Elementary School in 1986 after 37 years of teaching. She was the owner and operator of Catherine's Florist from 1986 to 2005. She was a member of Bethlehem Christian Church from childhood to the present date. At Bethlehem, she served as church clerk and a member of the senior choir. She was also a member of East Suffolk Gardens Civic League. She leaves to cherish her memories six sons, Ronald C. Johnson (Shirley), Larry Johnson (Joyce), both of Suffolk, Reginald Johnson (Juliet), Lafayette Porter, both of Portsmouth, Richard Porter (Katherine) and James Porter, both of Connecticut; 16 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; one daughter-in-law, Christine Johnson Fenner; one brother-in-law, David Dunning of Washington, D.C.; two sisters-in-law, Rose Garner of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Lily Johnson of Hopewell, Va.; a devoted cousin, Ms. Ada Miller; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. A funeral will be held Thursday at noon in Bethlehem Christian Church, 312 Bute St., Suffolk, officiated by Pastor Emanuel Myrick Jr. Interment will be in Carver Memorial Cemetery. Crocker Funeral Home Inc. is handling the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.crockerfuneralhome.com.