Rev. Winfred W. Porter

ROCKY MOUNT – Rev. Winfred W. Porter, 78, passed away on Thursday, December 23, 2010.  He was born in Pickens County, SC on January 21, 1932 to Hoyt R. and Viola K. Porter, who preceded him in death along with his son, Stanley Welton Porter.

Rev. Porter graduated from Parker High School and North Greenville Junior College.  After serving his country in the Army, he earned a B.A. Degree in Sociology from Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, TN and a Master of Divinity degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC.  He was also a Clinical Social Worker in North Carolina.  Rev. Porter’s pastorates included Elam and Bethel Baptist Churches (Northampton County), First Baptist Church (Grifton), Olivet and Lower King & Queen Baptist Churches (King & Queen County, Virginia), White Level Baptist Church (Louisburg), Cedar Rock Baptist Church (Castalia), Sunset Avenue Baptist and North Rocky Mount Baptist Church (Rocky Mount). He was recently honored by Elam Baptist Church by being named Pastor Emeritus.  Rev. Porter worked with a special program for youth through the Virginia Employment Security Commission in Richmond and as a Regional Social Worker for the Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina.  His work in Mental Health included Adult Services at John Umstead Hospital in Butner, NC and Family and Children’s Services in Edgecombe/Nash Mental Health in Rocky Mount.  During retirement, Rev. Porter served as interim pastor at Gethsemane, Enfield, Turkey Branch, Whitakers, South Rosemary, Bear Swamp, Antioch, Weldon and Hickory Baptist Churches, serving some of them twice in that capacity.

Rev. Porter is survived by his wife, Nancy Priest Porter; his sister, Katherine P. Hensley of Greenwood, SC; his daughters, Christine (Tena) Shearin and husband, Phil, of Louisburg, NC, Miriam Brown and husband, Stanley, of Dortches, NC, and Sonya Allen of Kingsport, TN; his sons, Robert Allen and wife, Lisa, of Kingsport, TN, and Ronald Allen and wife, Kathy, of Wake Forest, NC; his grandchildren, Marcy Allen, Ronnie Allen, Christopher Allen, Natalie Brown, Stephanie Brown, Brittany Brown, Sara Knowles, and Olivia McIntyre; his four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed by his family and many special friends who were like family to him.

The family will receive friends at Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home, 1130 N. Winstead Ave., Rocky Mount, NC on Tuesday, December 28, 2010 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.  Funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, December 29, 2010 at Lakeside Baptist Church, 1501 Sunset Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC with Dr. Jody Wright, Rev. Elizabeth Edwards, and Rev. Joy Heaton officiating. Entombment will follow at Rocky Mount Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to The Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina, P.O. Box 338, Thomasville, NC 27361 or to Lakeside Baptist Church, 1501 Sunset Ave., Rocky Mount, NC 27804 or favorite charity.

The family is being served by Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home. You may share memories and send condolences to the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.

Visitation
Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services

1130 N. Winstead Ave.
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
Tuesday 12/28, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Service
Lakeside Baptist Church

1501 Sunset Avenue
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
Wednesday 12/29, 1:00 pm

Cemetery
Rocky Mount Memorial Park

4454 Dortches Blvd., Hwy 43
Rocky Mount, NC 27804