Bernice Porter – Dec. 27, 1937 – Feb. 12, 2020
Sister Bernice K. Porter, 82, passed away peacefully on Feb. 12, 2020, with loved ones by her side singing her favorite gospel songs.
Sister Bernice was born Dec. 27, 1937 in Woodlake, Calif., to Joseph and Mabel Bartis. She was the fourth of six girls: Eula (b. 1928), Francis (b. 1930), Betty Joe (b. 1933; passed away at 2 months old), Louise (b. 1940) and Margaret (b. 1943).
The family traveled around during the fruit season, living in tents and picking whatever was in season. Bernice had fond memories of her dad’s sense of humor and of how her mom would sweep the dirt floor with spirits of water to make a hard, clean surface.
In 1954, she was baptized into the General Assembly and Church of the Firstborn by Brother Harvey Quarter, and a month and a half later, in Eureka, Calif., she married Brother Charles Porter of McKinleyville, Calif.
Together they had three boys and three daughters-in-law: Lenny and Sue; Randy and Pam; and Steve and Shae. They were married 54 years, and lived most of them in Springfield or Creswell, Ore.
They traveled amongst the brethren and to many of the beautiful sites along the way. She loved to go to town and take care of her home; Brother Charles loved to camp, hunt and fish, and she would go along – sometimes reluctantly – by his side. She loved to cook and care for her family and brethren; she showed her great love for all with a ready and capable hand to help.
She has six grandsons and five granddaughters-in-law: Nathan and Erika, Nick and Sarah, Shane and Stefanie, Devin and Daphne, Joseph and Sheridan, and Ace; two granddaughters: Kimberly and Rebecca; and six great-grandchildren; Damiyen, Ryleigh, Lilah, Rosie and Darlene. Her grandchildren will attest to her love and readiness to watch over and tend to them while growing up.
She was preceded in death by her husband and two sisters, Eula and Louise.
Sister Bernice was a succorer of many and was considered a very dear sister, mother and grandma to many of the brethren and loved ones. She will be sorely missed for her whistling and the singing gospel songs that she so loved.
