Mildred Cuma Porritt

Mildred Cuma Porritt (Millie), age 99, of Dutton, went to be with her Lord on Wednesday, September 16, 2020. She is survived by children Tom (Ingrid), Ron (Julie), and Don (Sharon); grandchildren Matthew (Melissa) of Roswell, GA, Robert of Austin, TX, Jason (Hannah), Brian (Jill), and Austin (Amanda), Kelsey, Brooke; great-granddaughters Noel, Romy, Beatrice, Millie, and Lucy; great-grandsons Samson, Linden, and Archer; sister, Vivian (Ken) Prater; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Kenneth Porritt; sister, Evelyn Weaver; brothers Otis Bost and Ward Bost.

Millie was born in Kansas City and raised in Osawatomie, KS, graduating from Osawatomie High School in 1939. Following high school, she took a job as a telephone operator and went to Central Radio and Television School in Kansas City, MO. With her training in radio and Morse code, Millie took a job with Penn Central Airline in Washington, D.C., where she taught code to Army pilots and navigators. After her stint in D.C., she was sent to Detroit, Milwaukee, Knoxville, and then to Grand Rapids.

While she was in Knoxville, Millie roomed with Barbara Porritt. Barb sent Millie’s picture to her brother (Ken), who was stationed with the Army Air Force in Italy. Millie and Ken started writing each other in 1944 and were married in 1945.

Millie and Ken were active in the Caledonia United Methodist Church for many years. In her own words, Millie says “I enjoyed the United Methodist Women and Homemakers groups and especially enjoyed being asked to meet new people as they came into the church on Sunday morning, and helping with other functions of the church, including the nursery, potluck dinners, funerals, and coffee time.”

Millie and Ken were very active members of the Order of Eastern Star in the Caledonia chapter for many years; in later years, they were active in the Lowell and Rockford chapters.

She also enjoyed music, particularly “Joy, Joy, Joy Down In My Heart” and “I’m Feeling Fine” (and she would emphasize “mighty fine”). Millie spent the last of her years as a resident at Byron Center Manor and was known for breaking into song at a moment's notice, surprising both staff and other residents.

A graveside service will be held at Bowne Township Cemetery (at the intersection of Alden Nash and 84th St) on Friday, September 25, 2020 at 2:00 PM. Family and close friends are welcome to come share in this time of tribute and reflection. Everyone should wear a mask and practice appropriate social distancing. Please bring your own lawn chair for the service. There will not be any singing and people will not be offered an opportunity to share at the service, but if you leave your stories or memories on the web page, there is a chance they will be read at the service. Please understand that we are trying to live within the bounds of our COVID pandemic while we honor Millie in her passing. Family will be at the grave site an hour prior to the service and the casket will be open for viewing.

To see Millie’s story in pictures, please go to this link: https://photos.app.goo.gl/jjK7SiGnfvewVTB88