Dorothy Porter
Posted: March 7, 2021
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Never was there a greater lover of life than Dottie Porter! She was the essence of unconditional love, always believing the best in everyone. She had a ready smile and a word of encouragement for anyone in her path. She was accepting of all people no matter their walk in life. Dorothy Lois Kocher Porter was born March 21, 1938 in Wilmore, Kentucky to Lois Irene Feree Kocher and Christian William Kocher. She weighed just 3 pounds at birth, brought home in a cracker box. Her small size was just the first of many things she overcame in her life. She lived some of her young life in poverty and therefore learned to be thrifty. In fact, to her children’s delight and dismay, she saved EVERYthing: Cards and letters, fabric remnants, silly gifts made by children and grandchildren, yogurt containers for repurposing in Sunday School class. She had an indomitable spirit. Her family sometimes despaired that she would never take off her rose-colored glasses. But there were many times when those glasses served her well. And she loaned her positive attitude to many others to encourage them through their own hard times. She loved singing and playing silly games. She loved music of all kinds. She played the piano for many of the churches her husband pastored. She also played the autoharp, hammered dulcimer and recorder. She loved singing with family and friends and travelled to Vienna, Austria to participate in an international singing festival with a Gulf Coast based community choir. She attended Asbury University where she met her husband of 23 years and the father of her five children, Dr. Walter Porter. She was graduated from Northwestern University in Chicago, IL in 1960 with a BS in Nursing. She had a varied nursing career, working in obstetrics, general hospitals, cardiology, nursing homes, home health, hospice, and as a nursing instructor at Mississippi University for Women and USM. She received a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology from The University of Southern Mississippi in 1979. Her greatest professional fulfillment came when she discovered Therapeutic Touch and Healing Touch, an Energy healing modality designed for holistic nurses. After her certification, she went on to teach others. Her joy was to connect with people in a creative, intimate way to bring them comfort, hope, and growth in their understanding of life. She developed her heart for ministry early, spending a summer in Cuba as a young woman. Other mission trips were to Mexico and Honduras. Twice she went to Uganda with the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi, where she earned the endearing nickname of “Mukaka,” or grandmother. Not only did she connect with and encourage people through nursing, but also through prison ministry. After retirement, she mentored inmates in Juvenile Detention, women’s prison, and supported Kairos Outside. After a stroke 2013, she continued to minister to others. She embraced technology and was constantly texting her friends and family, sending weekly Bible verses and notes of encouragement. Her faith was paramount in her life. This is what she wanted people to know about her, in her own words: “She found God in the Love of her family, her friends, and in the forgiveness of those who had devalued her. She found God’s Love in the beauty of Nature, beautiful Music and Art. She felt God’s presence in the challenges to create and the opportunities to serve Him. She was encouraged by God’s Word. She knew God best through His Son, Jesus Christ. She was very grateful to live this life among you all.” Late in life, she discovered a new passion in writing. More information about her interesting life and career can be found in her book, “Out From Under the Bedpan Into Cyberspace Nursing,” a sixty-year retrospective of her nursing career. She also authored a devotional based on the 23rd Psalm and had two manuscripts in process. Her legacy lives on, not only in the hearts of her children, but also in the lives of all she touched, which were many! As a final act of service, she donated her body to science, to further the careers of future nurses. She is preceded in death by her parents and husband. She is survived by her siblings David Kocher (Leavenworth, WA), Joy Kroehler (Lancaster, PA), and Ruth Emerick (Germantown, TN); and by her five children: Debi Lewis (Kevin) of Flowood; Kristi Carrico, Dr. Steve Porter (Dona), Laura Beth Berry (Duke) all of Columbus, and Heidi Sarnecki (Philip) of Overland Park, Kansas; by twelve grandchildren: Ben Lewis, Sam Lewis, Ryan Carrico (Tristesse), Brett Carrico, Mark Porter, Mary Helen Porter, Allie Porter, Chance Berry Hudson, Miranda Berry Hudson, Emilye Sarnecki, Blake Sarnecki and Ava Sarnecki. Friends are invited to a Celebration of Life service at Shaeffer’s Chapel United Methodist Church, Sunday March 7. The family will receive visitors at 2pm, service at 3pm and extended visitation afterwards. For those wishing to attend remotely, the service will be posted online at http://shaefferschapel.org and broadcast on FM87.9. In lieu of flowers, we have decided to marry two of mom’s greatest loves; God’s Word and jail ministry. Recovery Bibles can be purchased through your generous donations sent to The Assemblies, Attn: Sarah Rickert/Recovery Bibles, 2201 Military Road, Columbus, MS 39705. Memorials may also be sent to The Columbus Arts Council, P.O. Box 869, Columbus, MS 39701.