Althea S. Porter

April 28, 1917 - January 11, 2015

Althea Margaret Sherman Porter, 97, of Birmingham passed away January 11, 2015.

Daughter of Ira Walters Sherman and Emma Mabel Dinger of Brookville, Pennsylvania

Graduate of Brookville High School in 1935. She was a medical secretary and assistant.

In 1939 she married James Blaine Porter, Jr. and moved to Erie, Pennsylvania where Blaine was employed by the General Electric Company. In 1956 they were transferred to Louisville, Kentucky. Her beloved husband passed away in 1974. In 1994 she moved to Birmingham to be near family.

She was preceded in death by her parents Ira Walters Sherman and Emma Mabel Dinger Sherman and husband James Blaine Porter, Jr., brothers, Walter Raymond Sherman, David Reid Sherman and William Wallace Sherman; sisters, Ida Frances Galbraith, Dorothy Juliette Sherman, Etta Ruth Sherman, Mary Louise Lindemuth and Phyllis Virginia Sherman.

She is survived by her daughter, Ellen Sue Porter Hay (H. Wayne); three grandchildren: Howard Wayne Hay, Jr. (Carla), Shannon Marie Hay Anderson (Andy), and Margaret Kary Hay Edwards (Mitch); five great-grandchildren: Andrew Bartlett Anderson, Jr., Hayley Marie Anderson, Nathan Blaine Hay, Skylar Jane Hay and William Henderson Edwards; one brother: Robert Lee Sherman and two sisters: Emogene Dinger Springer, and Nancy Roberta Wine.

She was a member of the Okolona Presbyterian Church in Louisville, Kentucky for 58 years.

She was a faithful Sunday school teacher and served on many committees. She, also, was an ardent member of the PTA and served her community wherever and whenever she could.

She was devoted to her daughter and grandchildren. She was also a beautiful seamstress and did impeccable needlework of all kinds; she enjoyed traveling, playing bridge, observing politics and watching football. Being a speed-reader she devoured books; during her eighteen month stay at Kirkwood By the River, she came close to reading their entire library.

The family wishes to thank the staff of the Skilled Care Unit at Kirkwood By The River for the care they provided for Althea during her stay there. They truly cared for her as she did for them. We, also, wish to express our love for her roommate, Mrs. Chris Curlee who was her dear companion in her final months.

A funeral service will be held in the Chapel at Kirkwood By The River, 3605 Ratliff Road, Birmingham, AL 35210, on Saturday, January 17 at 11 AM. A reception for family and friends will be in the Cahaba Room at Kirkwood following the service. A graveside service will be held in Louisville, KY at Resthaven Memorial Gardens, 4400 Bardstown Rd., Louisville, KY 40218, on Monday, January 19 at 1 PM.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial gifts be made to the Okolona Presbyterian Church, 8015 Shepherdsville Road, Louisville, KY 40219 or to the charity of your choice.