Lillian Christina Porteous

Lillian Christina Porteous was born in New York City on July 5, 1988 to Esley Porteous and the late Jessie Lavern Mack. She was called home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on January 1, 2017 at New York Presbyterian Hospital in Flushing, Queens.

Tina, as she was known by family members, attended elementary school in New York City and middle school in Clayton County, Georgia. She was a 2006 graduate of Morrow High School in Morrow, Georgia. After high school, she enrolled at Albany State University in Albany, Georgia, where in May 2011 she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in middle grades education with concentration in science and language arts. It was while at Albany State University that Tina accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior for the second time. The first time was during Vacation Bible School at age 6.

After graduating from ASU, Tina enrolled in graduate school and took courses toward a master’s degree in education, and she worked at Old Navy in Albany, Georgia; Fayetteville, Georgia and New York City while awaiting full-time teaching opportunities. It was during this period that her health began to decline.

Tina loved spending time with family and friends, attending church, singing, listening to music, shopping, travelling, and watching comedies on television & at the movies. Her adventurous spirit was expressed through zip lining, whitewater rafting and horseback riding. One of her memorable accomplishments was being selected to participate in Camp Adventure Youth Services. Through this organization, she served as a counselor for youth at military bases in Germany and near Chicago, Illinois.

Left to cherish memories of Tina are her father and step-mother, Esley and Dianne Porteous of New York City; brother, Justin Mack Porteous of Savannah, Georgia; maternal aunts, Glenda Cobb of Riverdale, Georgia, Brenda and Elaine Mack of Macon, Georgia, and Beverly Davis of Columbus, Georgia; maternal uncles, Eric Mack of Atlanta, Georgia; David Mack and wife Jacquelyn of Athens, Georgia, and Joseph Mack of Fayetteville, North Carolina; paternal uncles Tony, Rodrick, Mike, Leroy and Fritz Porteous; paternal aunts, Doreen, Francine, Claudette and Enid Porteous; cousins, Veronica and Kay Mack, Tiffany Dames and Courtney Ullah; 11 stepsiblings; best friends from high school, Tamara Riggins and Mai’Tavia Brown; best friends from college, Naeemah Ain Curtis, Felusha Denord, and Domonique Harris; and a host of other relatives and friends.