Dorothy B. Porter

Dorothy B. Porter was a devoted wife, caring mother, and loving grandmother. Her skills were numerous, her interests were broad, and her generosity was deep. She was involved and energetic, thriving on activity that benefited both her family and her neighbors. Particularly, the advancement and struggle that characterized Dorothy’s generation, taught her the value of family and service to others.

Dorothy Bernice was born July 11, 1915 in Geneva Township, Michigan, the seventh of Arthur and Edna (Elliott) Empson’s thirteen children. At the time, the family homestead wasn’t yet complete, so baby Dorothy had to be delivered in the secure surroundings of the barn. It was the beginning of a life on the farm that Dorothy grew to love.

Dorothy lived a typical childhood in rural Geneva Township near the town of Bangor. Along with her regular chores, she tended horses and rode her own to and from school. She learned skills of cooking and sewing, crafts and embroidery that served her well throughout her life. When she graduated from South Haven High School, she had accomplished more than many young women of her generation were privileged to do.

She met her husband Chancey R. Porter in 1935 when he was working at a grocery store and she was a waitress at the restaurant next door in South Haven. They made their vows on July 16, 1938 and set about building a life of love in which to raise children.

Chancey and Dorothy had 7 children. Charlotte, Larry, Terry, Gary, Cynthia, Pamela, and Deborah. Dorothy was a devoted wife and mother. She was a homemaker and filled her time sewing and cooking. She was known for her cookies and pies, caramels and peanut brittle. She was an excellent seamstress and loved embroidery work, and crafts. She made dolls and sock monkeys, giving many away. She shared her expertise when she became a 4-H leader in sewing and outdoor cooking. Dorothy was a member of Lotus Lily United #262, a chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star in Vicksburg. Whatever the group, Dorothy’s membership proved worthwhile for their mutual profit and enjoyment.

In 1946, the couple moved from Grand Rapids to Austin Lake, where they lived for more than 30 years. In 1969 they moved to Kalamazoo. In 1975 Chancy retired from Greyhound BusLine and they began traveling to the south and southwest. When Chancey died on September 28, 1988, Dorothy moved from Kalamazoo to Mattawan and in 2001 she moved to Miller Court in Paw Paw.

Dorothy seemed as content on the road as at home. She and Chancey loved to travel, and their interests took them across the country as well as close to home. They were members of the Travel Trailer Club of Michigan and often camped in their favorite spots in northern Michigan. In retirement, they headed to Arizona for the winters and explored the landscape that contributed to one of Chancey’s hobbies. He was such a rock and gemstone enthusiast, that his passion rubbed off on Dorothy, and the two of them became members of the Rock & Gem Club of Yuma, Arizona.

Dorothy and Chancey shared a rich life, measured by priceless time spent together and with their growing family of grandchildren. Dorothy was happiest when surrounded by her family, yet she happily spent time on her own, as well. With the TV turned off and the radio tuned to a Prairie Home Companion, the stories of host Garrison Keeler were reminders of a day gone bye, when genuineness and simplicity characterized the very life she lived. Dorothy was an avid Detroit Tiger Fan and a NASCAR fan, cheering on Jeff Gordon (whom won the race the day of her passing).

Dorothy was a caring mother, devoted wife and loving grandmother. Her skills were numerous, her interests were broad, and her generosity was deep. She was involved and energetic, thriving on activity that benefitted both her family and her neighbors. Her health declined with age, yet she lived a full life of 93 years when she died at her home on April 5, 2009. Dorothy (Mother) is loved and cherished by her family and the many more who knew her. We will miss her.

Dorothy B. Porter, formerly of Vicksburg, is survived by her children Charlotte (Jonathan) Lawton, Larry (Sharon) Porter, Terry (Sun) Porter, Cynthia Valitchka, Pamela Kay, Deborah (George) Richmond, and her brother Elmer “Bud” Empson, 13 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandson. Besides her husband, Dorothy was preceded in death by her son Gary Porter, her brothers Frank Empson, Rex Empson, Glenn Empson, Jim Empson, and Gordon Empson and her sisters Hazel Davis, Gladys Empson, Alice Van Derbaegh and Ruth Wilson. Visit with her family and friends, view her life story and share light refreshments on Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Life Story Funeral Home, Vicksburg; 409 S. Main St. (269-649-1697). A Funeral will be held on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. at the same location. Please visit Dorothy’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com In lieu of flowers make a memorial donation to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan.