Dorothy B. Porter

Dorothy Sue Butler Porter
- Greenville, SC

Dorothy (Dot) Butler Porter was welcomed into heaven on August 23, 2012, three weeks after celebrating her 90th birthday. She was born on July 27, 1922 in Greenville, SC, where she lived all of her life. She was pre-deceased by her husband, Doyle Porter, also by her parents, Madge Grant Butler and Broadus Dewitt Butler, her sister, June Butler Smith and a brother, David Butler. She is survived by her brother, Roger Butler (Marge) of Dayton, TN. and her four children, June Porter Ewell (Bob), of Monument, CO, Madge Porter Cross (Jim), of Lexington, NC, Paul Porter (Donna), of Piedmont, SC, and Grant Porter (Nora), of Easley, SC.

She is also survived by 13 grandchildren: Mark Ewell, Melody Ewell Gifford, Matt Ewell, David Ewell, Dorothy-Jane Cross Kozlowski, Jim Cross, Jr., Rachel Cross Everhart, Alissa Cross Williams, Thomas Cross, Caleb Cross, Tara Porter Wasson, Holland Porter Barfield and Erich Porter. She has 29 great-grandchildren and one great,great-grandchild.

Dot was a member of Second Presbyterian Church in Greenville.

Dot grew up during the Great Depression and Like most of that generation was extremely frugal and appreciated everything she had. She loved to read and was very involved in journalism during her high school years, writing a column for the Greenville News featuring news from Parker High School. She met Doyle at Emmanuel Baptist Church: she was the church librarian, and he loved to read. The rest, as they say, is history. Initially living in an apartment on Augusta Road, they saved money in a large jar for a down payment on their first and only house at 416 Grove Road where they moved in 1949. Doyle passed away in January 2000, and Dot continued to live in this house until she broke her hip in March 2011.

She was a life-long homemaker who always wanted to be the best mother she could be. She cooked a hot breakfast every morning, made countless school lunches, drove all four children to two piano lessons a week, drove endless carpools, took them to church, the library, the orthodontist, ball games, scouts. She made major sacrifices so that her children could go to college, something she was unable to do.

Dot adored her grandchildren, prayed for each of them every day, and was always willing to sit down and read to them or just watch them play. In her later years she enjoyed perusing old hymnbooks and singing the old hymns. She also enjoyed the music of WMUU radio and listened every day. She and Doyle loved music, and although they were not musicians, they believed in the value of music in the home and a music education for all the children. They never complained about the many hours of piano practice. Dot delighted in hearing her adult children play the piano - no doubt it made her feel better about the thousands of dollars invested in their music education.

Dot and Doyle also were lifelong Christians, devoted to their faith, to the Bible, and to their church. Dot taught Sunday School, was active in women's Bible studies, Circle groups, and children's work. She was a willing volunteer in many capacities of church work.

She taught her children to love the natural beauty of South carolina and to value and protect the environment. She enjoyed walking, hiking, driving in the mountains and bird watching. She always loved a family picnic at Table Rock State Park, where the family spent many vacations.

She enjoyed cooking and had a large collection of cookbooks and beautiful dishes.

She spent the last 16 months of her life at National Health care - Mauldin. Her family is grateful for the wonderful care given to her during that time. The family also recognizes Lutheran Hospice of Greer, who provided sensitive and supportive end-of-life care. Also, thanks to a special friend, Tim Bell, at National Healthcare. They deeply appreciate all these caregivers. "A woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." (Proverbs 31:30)

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Tuesday August 28, 2012 in the Chapel of Robinson Funeral Home - Powdersville Road. Burial will follow in Robinson Memorial Gardens.

Visitation will be from 9:30 AM until 11:00 AM Tuesday, prior to the service, at the funeral home.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home - Powdersville Road, which is assisting the family.