Shirley Nan Porter

Shirley Nan Porter, “Babe”, age 91, passed away on March 2, 2023. She was born on December 3, 1931 in Berryville, Arkansas.

She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Gene T. Porter; daughter, Nan Taylor husband Tom Taylor of Savannah, Georgia; son, Paul Gene Porter and wife Laurie Porter of Charlotte, North Carolina; six grandchildren, Ryan Bartlett, Jack Porter, Luke Porter, Tyler Porter, Chris Taylor and Taryn Nunez. She is also survived by _ve great-grandchildren, Tyana Taylor, Alijah Nunez, Madison Bartlett, Maddox Bartlett, Maverick Bartlett and another one on the way. She is also survived by two nephews, Clay Newman and wife Elinor, and Clyde Newman and wife Carol.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Blanche Hanby Newman and Clay Newman; her son, Mark Newman Porter, and brother, Larry K. Newman.

Shirley grew up in Berryville and was valedictorian of her graduating class in 1948. She attained an Associate of Arts Degree from William Woods College, and a B.A. degree in foreign languages from University of Arkansas in 1952. While there, she worked as an assistant at the university library, and was a member of Chi Omega sorority where she served as Chapter President. She was also elected “Dream Girl of Pi Kappa Alpha”. She met her husband, Gene Porter at the university, and they were married in Berryville in 1954.

Shirley was a substitute teacher for 12 years in various states where she and her family lived before retiring to Berryville in 1985. She was a loyal member of the First Christian Church in Berryville, where she served on the Memorial Committee. She was also an active volunteer at Loaves and Fishes and at the Berryville Public Library. She served on the library’s Board of Directors for many years. She was also the Chi Omega State Recruitment Chairperson.

She is most known and beloved for her devotion to her husband, children, and grandchildren, and _lled her home with warmth, comfort food, laughter, and kindness. She propped up her family and supported them through the many passions and diculties of their lives. Perhaps her unbridled love can best be expressed by her favorite things: burned food (acquiring a taste for it so nobody else had to eat it), spending time at the lake with her large, extended family and perhaps most of all playing games for countless hours with her children and grandchildren. Her favorite saying was “patience is a virtue.”

Graveside service will be 10:00 a.m., rsday, March 9, 2023 at the Berryville Memorial Park Cemetery, with Dave Buttgen ociating. In lieu of _owers, memorials may be made to the First Christian Church, P.O. Box 187, Berryville AR 72616, the Berryville Library Building Fund, c/o Berryville Library 104 Spring Street, Berryville, AR 72616, berryvillelibrary. org/building, or Loaves and Fishes Food Bank, P.O. Box 149 Berryville AR 72616. Online condolences may be sent to nelsonfuneral.com.

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