Jeraldine C. Porter

MOTHER JERALDINE C. PORTER, the daughter of the late Lucy B. Johnson and Hurbert L. Johnson (step- father), was born Tuesday, February 24, 1942, in Harrisburg, PA. She peacefully transitioned from this life to glory on Saturday, April 22, 2023, while holding the hand of her son, Kevin.

She received her formal education from the Harrisburg City School District and graduated from John Harris High School. She continued her secondary education in New York city, where she became a Registered Nurse and began working at the Bronx Lebanon Hospital. In her earlier years, she worked as a part time apprentice seamstress.

Mother Porter was raised in the New Day Way of the Cross Church where she gave her life to God. She received the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal savior and was Baptized at the young age of 10 by the late Bishop Myles Meredith.

Mother Porter was united in holy matrimony with William L. Porter by Bishop John Easton on August 9, 1962. In 1964, they moved to New York City and became members of the New Bethel Way of the Cross Church under the late Bishop James H. Hicks, Sr. There they would bore 4 children; Andre, Leslie, Kevin and Stacey. Later they would adopt their youngest loving daughter Terri.  

Mother Porter loved working in the church. You could find her passionately working in the Youth Ministry where she would train the children up in Jesus Christ. From there she would become the Executive Secretary for Way of the Cross Youth for Christ International. Mother Porter would also work diligently in the choir ministry, Church Administration, Missionary Department and wherever else she was needed. Mother Porter was dedicated to the call of Jesus Christ and used her gifts to serve the kingdom of God however she could. She would later use these gifts to serve for the Bible Way Church International (Harrisburg). As a church administrator there was no job too big for her to accomplish.

Mother Porter could be found doing various things in her leisure time. She had a passion for theater and would perform in “Porgy and Bess”, she sang opera professionally, she loved putting together Christmas and Easter Pageants, cozying up to read a book, sewing and creating her own special collection of clothing for family and friends, playing board games, and caring for the children.

“Jerri, Aunt Jerri, Grandmom, Mom, and Mother Porter” are just some of the names that she was affectionately known as, and for good reasons. Mother Porter was know to have delivered half of the babies in the family.  She is also known for lovingly assisting in the raising of all her siblings in her mom’s absence by preparing meals and doing work around the house. She also had a playful side to her that would hate to lose. She would often challenge her younger siblings to a game of jacks where the loser would have to do chores. Still to this day, no one knows how she always won.

Mother Porter was best known for her singing, choir directing, vocal coaching, style including her elaborate hats, purses, and matching shoes.

If you knew Mother Porter, then you heard one of her favorite sayings. “I’m living this life to live again; When you lie down with dogs, you wake up with fleas; If you don’t do this, you had better; Hi Baby; If you’re going to do something, do it right; If Jesus goes with me, I’ll go; Jesus, I love you!”

One of her proudest achievements that she loved to share with those she encountered, especially her grandchildren, was that, in 1979 she was the first black Registered Nurse in the City of Harrisburg, PA.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Andre Porter; a daughter, Leslie Taylor; a grand-daughter, Kaylynn Selvey; a grand-daughter, Lynette Lane; a grand-son, Jonathan Taylor; a sister, Marsha Miller; a brother, Hubert Terry; and a brother-in-love, James Williams.

She leaves to cherish her precious memory, William Porter, her son, Kevin L. Porter Sr., of Harrisburg, PA, two daughters, Stacey Canady, of Mahanoy, PA and Terri Byrd of Mechanicsburg, PA. Son-in-love, Rodger Taylor of Harrisburg, PA, Daughter-in-love, Paulette Smith of Mechanicsburg, PA. Her sister, Thelma Williams of Fayetteville, GA, two brothers, Harold Johnson (Elizabeth) of Virginia Beach, VA and Gary Johnson (Cindy) of Baltimore, MD. Grandchildren, Christina Mair (Sean) of Towson, MD, Kevin Porter (Raquel) of Mechanicsburg, PA, La’Keesha Porter (Rendon) of Valdosta, GA, Joshalyn Jackson (Terrance) of Brandywine, MD, Jeremy Taylor (Brandi) of Enola, PA, Dominique Canady of Mahanoy, PA, Michael Taylor, and Christopher Taylor both of Harrisburg, PA. Dominic Flemister of Mechanicsburg, PA, Makhaiyyah McQuay of Harrisburg, PA, and Tymeihr Flemister of Mechanicsburg, PA. Tamra Paige, John Easton, and Purcell Lane all of Harrisburg, PA. 21 great-grands, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.