Gerald Porter

Rev. Gerald Wilson Porter, 71 of Rutherfordton, died Monday, July 26. A native of Water Valley, MS, he was a son of the late Woodrow Wilson and Grace Faye Ashmore Porter. Rev. Porter was a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University and pastored and supplied churches in North Carolina and various other states. He is survived by his wife, Charlene Merritt Porter of the home; two daughters, Darlene Jamison and husband Keith of Marion, and Toni Boyd of Gilkey; three sons, Jeff Porter and wife Barbara of Gilkey, Greg Porter and wife Angela of Tyler, Texas, and Dirk Porter and wife Tess of Marion; one sister, Betty Stone of Water Valley, MS, and nine grandchildren, Tyler Porter, Jaron and Jakan Jamison, Dylan and Dalton Boyd, Madeline, Colby, and Meredith Porter, and Casey Porter. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Charles Porter and a sister, Sarah Fly. Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 29 at 5 PM at Piney Knob Baptist Church with Rev. Steven Cooper and Rev. Charlie Blackwell officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends two hours prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Rutherford County, PO Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043.