December 24, 2022, 88, Goldsboro –
Ruth Geneva Flowers Porter, 88, died peacefully Saturday, December 24, 2022, at Brookdale on Berkeley surrounded by family.
Born June 13, 1934, she began life in Bentonville, NC working as a young girl in her father’s (C. W. Flowers) country store. She was an honor student and athlete at Grantham High School. After graduating high school, she attended East Carolina College for one year as a business major. She married her high school sweetheart, Herman Porter, in 1954 and worked at North Carolina State College. In 1956 she moved with her husband Herman to Louisville, Kentucky, and served as the secretary to a commander with the US Army Armor Center at Fort Knox while her husband, Herman, served 2 years in the US Army.
In 1958, she and Herman moved to Raleigh, NC where he started his career with the community college system with Ruth by his side, supporting his work in any way she could. They moved to Garner, NC, and bought their first home where they raised two daughters and made lifelong friends. She was a member of Garner United Methodist Church and sang for many years with the choir and served on several committees. She was a homemaker and substitute teacher, volunteering with the PTA and wherever she was needed in support of her daughters.
1988 she moved to Wayne County to support her husband in his role as president of Wayne Community College. She joined Saint Paul United Methodist Church and was a member of the United Methodist Women and the J. Paul Edwards Sunday School Class. She was a caregiver for her parents for many years and later volunteered with St Paul’s church service for the residents of the Brian Center using her gift of music to play the piano.
After her husband’s retirement, they spent many years traveling, visiting friends, family, children, and grandchildren.
She had a quick wit and a beautiful smile. She loved being with family and especially meeting friends and family for lunch. She was an excellent southern cook and enjoyed making meals for her family.
The family will receive friends on Friday, December 30, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Saint Paul United Methodist Church, 204 E Chestnut St., Goldsboro. A service to celebrate Ruth’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 30, 2022, at Saint Paul United Methodist Church, 204 E. Chestnut Street, Goldsboro with Rev. Phyllis Vail presiding. Interment will follow at Ebenezer United Methodist Church Cemetery in Bentonville, NC.
Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Herman Porter, parents, Chester and Mary (Westbrook) Flowers, and sisters, Doris Mathany and Bobbie Hollowell. She is survived by her two daughters, Karen Porter Burnette (husband, Larry) of Pikeville, Lisa Porter Dismore (husband, Mike) of Dudley, grandchildren, Karry Burnette Grady (husband, Buddy) of Mt. Olive, Battle Lawrence Burnette III of Wilson, Alexandria Freeman Stoneham (husband, Shane) of Hendersonville, and Jonathan Freeman of Dudley, a great-grandson, Jameson Grady of Mt. Olive, many loving nieces and nephews, and wonderful caregivers Carolyn Remington, Edna Pittman, and Valerie Green.
The family would like to thank the staff at Brookdale on Berkley for their loving support for the last few years and our final day.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in her memory to
Ruth and Herman Porter Continuing Education Scholarship Fund
The Foundation of Wayne Community College
PO Box 8002
Goldsboro NC 27533
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.
