Jean was born in Caldwell County to the late Lonnie P. Bentley and Belva Bentley Hamby on March 9, 1941. She was preceded in death by her son, John Porter Jr., her husband of 56 years, John Porter Sr., and her brothers, Edward Bentley, Ronald Bentley and Joe Howard (Buster) Bentley.
Before retirement, Jean enjoyed working as a CNA with Hospice of Caldwell County. Prior to that she worked for Singer Furniture for 20 years. She was a loving military wife through her husband's retirement with the U.S. Navy.
Survivors include: son, James Porter and wife Janey of Lenoir; daughter, Beverly Porter Downs and husband Terry of Wylie, TX; sister, Wilma Winkler of Spartanburg, SC; brothers, David Bentley and wife Darlene of Lenoir and Doug Bentley and wife Retha of Gamewell; grandchildren, Stephanie Downs Roberts and husband Wes of Abilene, TX, Melissa Downs of Rowlett, TX, LaceyDowns Myren and husband Ricky of Quincy, MA, Jamie Porter of Granite Falls, Scarlet Porter of Granite Falls; step-granddaughter Dee Lawson of Lenoir; great-grandchildren Tyler, Kinley, Annabelle, and Logan Roberts of Abilene, TX; numerous neices and nephews.
A graveside service will be held on Sunday, January 3, 2021 at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens in Lenoir at 10:00 am.
In lieu of flowers, the Porter Family requests that memorials be made to either of the following: Friends Place Adult Day Services, 1960 Nantucket Drive, Richardson, Texas, 75080http://www.friendsplaceads.com/ or Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601, https://www.alz.org/.
Words of comfort may be expressed to the family at www.pendrysfuneralhome.com.
Pendry’s Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Nellie “Jean” Bentley Porter.
