Portia Christian West

Portia was born in Church Hill, TN, to Victor and Thelma Yankee. She was a graduate of Church Hill High School, Class of 1963. After high school, she moved to Knoxville, where she attended and graduated from the University of Tennessee. Knoxville became her lifelong home.

She was very active in the community through volunteer work with the Symphony League, Habitat for Humanity, and Church Street United Methodist Church. She was passionate about tennis and later pickleball, and was a great competitor. She enjoyed a successful career in real estate before retiring. She may have been best known for her deep love of gardening. She was well respected for her knowledge and expertise in designing and cultivating beautiful flower gardens, taking tremendous pride in creating beauty.

Portia was preceded in death by her parents, Victor Clay Yankee and Ruby Thelma (Francisco) Yankee; her brother, Vance Wade Yankee; her first husband, Ralph Benton Christian, Jr.; and her second husband, Lynn Allen West.

She is survived by her sisters, Roma Yankee Renfro and Sarah Yankee Smith; her brother, Gary Jerome Yankee (Frankie); her daughter, Dr. Morna Christian-Staffel; and her stepson, Gary Michael West (Patti).

Grandchildren include Scott Mixson Staffel, Jr. (Emma Claire), Sarah Christian Staffel, Benton West Staffel, Matthew Ryan West (Fran), and Morgan Patrick West (Clare). She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, as well as many beloved friends and neighbors. She was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by many.

Visitation will be held at the mausoleum chapel at Berry Highland Memorial Cemetery, 5315 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919, on April 9, 2026, from 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. A funeral service will follow at 1:00 p.m., with entombment immediately afterward in the Christus Patio Mausoleum Complex.

Family and friends may share condolences online at www.berryhighlandmemorial.com