Jerry Porter

Jerry was born in Grovespring, Missouri, on January 25, 1932, to E. Lacy and Marie Shaddy Porter, the oldest of their two children. He dedicated his life to being a gospel minister for 52 years.

Jerry graduated with his bachelor’s degree from David Lipscomb University and subsequently earned a master’s degree from Harding University Graduate School of Religion, where he met his wife Peggy Ann Futrell whom he married in 1956. Early on, they traveled as missionaries to Scotland where they stayed for seven years and helped establish the Castlemilk Church of Christ. During this time, Jerry continued his pursuit of religious studies at Trinity College, University of Glasgow, taking several courses under the tutelage of Dr. William Barclay. In 1965, the family moved to Jackson, Mississippi during a time of great civil unrest. Jerry made a courageous stand in support of teaching the Gospel to people of all colors despite receiving threatening letters from the KKK. In 1973, Jerry and his family moved to the Atlanta area where he became pastor of the Decatur Church of Christ for 23 years. While being a dedicated Bible scholar and preacher, Jerry also had a special gift for connecting with people on a very personal level. He provided extensive counseling services for the members of the church and later became involved in leading weekly sessions for addiction recovery groups at the Georgia Mental Health Institute.

Jerry was a licensed airplane pilot, professional photographer and competitive tennis player. He was known for his love of reading, his passion for travel, his knowledge and appreciation of antiques, and a wicked sense of humor.

Preceded in death by: parents E. Lacy and Marie Shaddy Porter and his wife of 54 years, Peggy Ann Futrell Porter.

Survived by: wife, Rita Neal Swaim; sister, Beverly Sharp; children, Shannon Shakkour (Daoud), Susan Morgan (Larry), Jeffrey Porter (Cyndi), Heather Nicholson (Ray), Amy Wilber (Ken); grandchildren, Ian Morgan, Ansley Thompson, Kerry Moore, Alexander Shakkour, Madison Wilber and Vivienne Wilber; great grandchildren, Olivia Moore, Adelyn Thompson and Lincoln Thompson, 5 nephews, 3 nieces and numerous great nieces and nephews.

“He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much; who enjoyed the trust of pure women, the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who has left the world better than he found it whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem or a rescued soul; who never lacked appreciation of Earth’s beauty or failed to express it; who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best he had; whose life was an inspiration; whose memory a benediction.”

-Bessie Anderson Stanley

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 31st, at the Northlake Church of Christ, Tucker, Georgia, 11:00am. Reception immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Northlake Church of Christ (northlake.org) in Jerry’s name to support Northlake’s Ministry to Refugees in Clarkston: Northlake Church of Christ, 1625 Cooledge Road, Tucker, GA 30084.