Rev. Fran Porter

Reverend Fran Porter January 3, 1932 – October 10, 2006 Rev. Fran Porter died at home on October 10, 2006. A memorial service will be at 2:00 pm Friday, October 13 at Calvary Baptist Church of Waco, TX. Family and friends are invited to attend the burial at Oakwood Cemetery at 1:00 pm before the service. Officiating will be Rev. Julie Pennington-Russell of Waco, Rev. Sharlande Sledge of Waco and Mr. Bob Banks of Atlanta, Georgia. Visitation will be from 6 – 8 pm Thursday, October 12 at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey, 6101 Bosque, Waco, TX. Fran was born in Dallas, TX on January 3, 1932 and grew up in Tulsa, OK. She graduated from Central High School in Tulsa, OK and attended Baylor University from 1950-1953, University of Louisville and Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, AR. Fran graduated from Georgia State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She attended Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth and attained an M.A.R.E. She continued her education at Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center C.P.E. program. Fran’s work experiences include: medical office manager, hospital administrator, hospital chaplain, hospice chaplain, director at Sanctuary Home in Waco, Minister of Senior Adults and Pastoral Care of Calvary Baptist Church in Waco. Fran married Nathan Porter of Campinas, Brazil on August 23, 1952. She was ordained to the Ministry by Calvary Baptist Church of Waco on November 19, 1995. Fran Porter was admired for her independence, strong will and tough love. She was persistent in pursuing her education, faithful in responding to God’s call for her life and in exercising her gifts in ministry and service to others. Her greatest legacy was her total love for her family. Throughout her life she welcomed and embraced so many persons into her life and home. Fran’s home was a center of ministry to others. She will live on through the lives of those she served. Preceding her in death were her parents: Albert C. and Josie Zoeller Booth of Tulsa, a brother, Albert C. Booth, Jr. of Tulsa and a sister, Doris Booth Berglund of Tulsa. Fran is survived by her husband of 54 years, Nathan; daughters: Becca Hollaway and husband, Stephen of Covington, KY; Leslie Porter Smith and husband, Sam of Waco; son, Joel Porter and wife, Janet of Waco; and a sister, Jean Booth Foor and husband, Wade Jr. of Tulsa. Also surviving are the grandchildren: Whitney Smith Luce and husband, Brandon, Porter Smith, Sarah Hollaway, Nathan Hollaway and Josie Porter, and many nieces and nephews. The family also includes “adopted family” Andrea McCuistion, Suzi McCuistion and their mother, Carol, of Jacksonville, TX and Phillip Allen and wife, Glenda Tapper of Hendersonville, NC. Honorary pallbearers are Richard Booth, Wade Foor, III, Louann Foor, Carol Foor, D.G. Melton, Alva Stem, Clarence Blackman, Ann Klumpp and Larry Grass. The family wishes to thank Hillcrest Hospice staff and volunteers, Robin Ruth and Mary Hellen Cash, the staff of Providence Home Care, and Debra Booker, for their love and care for Fran. For those desiring, Fran suggested the Family Abuse Center, PO Box 20395, Waco, Texas 76702 for memorial contributions. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com. Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey