PORTER, Helen M. (1914-2019)

PORTER

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 11/24/2019 at 13:32:46

Helen Margaret Porter
July 01, 1914 - September 19, 2019

Helen Margaret Porter, age 105, entered Heaven Thursday morning, September 19, 2019. She was an Iowa farm girl. Born July 1, 1914, she grew up with a brother and sister near the rural community of Beech, Iowa. She rode in Horse-drawn buggies and sleighs and walked across the field to her beloved grandparents’ home. Helen was valedictorian of her seventeen-member high school class. She earned her teaching certificate and taught school in 1931 for $60 a month. Helen and Melvin Porter were married on March 16, 1935. They rented farm land, worked hard, and saved. Their first son, Charles, was born in 1937. Jerry was born in 1940. In 1951 their daughter Lynne was born. In 1957 Helen and Melvin moved “to town” in Indianola, Iowa. They joined the First United Methodist Church and were active members of the congregation. They played bridge with friends, entertained in their home, traveled, and enjoyed a comfortable life together. When Melvin died in November of 1969, Helen’s world dimmed. In time she returned to a life of winters at South Padre Island and holidays with family and friends. After 80 years in Iowa, Helen moved to Garland, Texas in 1995. With a determination to make Texas her home, she joined the First United Methodist Church-Garland, the John Markley Sunday School Class, Beginning Again, and Fifty-Five Plus. After 17 years in her home, she moved to Brookdale-Club Hill and eventually lived with her daughter. By all standards she exemplified a life well-lived.
Survivors include her son, Charles (Cheryl); daughter, Lynne; daughter-in-law, Deborah. Grandchildren include Jim, Jerry (Rhonda), Lori (Chad), Craig (Julie), Philip (Clisty), Steve (Jenn), Jacque (Brian), 13 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin, and her son, Jerry, as well as her granddaughter, Lisa and her great grandson, Scott.Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, September 26 in the Indianola I.O.O.F. Cemetery.
While Helen loved flowers and all things related to gardening, she would prefer donations to the First United Methodist Church- Garland at 801 Avenue B, Garland, TX 75040 or the First United Methodist Church-Indianola at 307 West Ashland Ave, Indianola, Iowa 50125.
This memorial is provided by Overton Funeral Home, 501 West Ashland Ave., Indianola, Iowa, http://www.overtonfuneral.com/