Dec. 8, 1936 – Sept. 13, 2017

NATCHEZ — Services for Herman Estus Porter, 80, of Natchez, who died Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2017, in Natchez, will be 10 a.m., Saturday at Washington Baptist Church in Washington, with the Rev. Carl Smith officiating.

Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. until service time Saturday, both at the church.

Mr. Porter was born Dec. 8, 1936, in Meadville, the son of Herman Obedell Porter and Donice Lyons Porter.

He lived in Natchez throughout his childhood and graduated from Washington High School and Copiah-Lincoln Junior College.  He was active in the U.S. National Guard for seven years.  He worked and retired from International Paper Company after 34 years of employment.  He was a long-time active member and deacon of Washington Baptist Church.

Mr. Porter was preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Sara Lynne Gousset Porter; one daughter, Julia Lynne Porter Wright and husband, Edwin, of Gulport; one son, Vaughn Estus Porter and wife, Lisa, of Collierville, Tenn.; five grandchildren, Ashton Elizabeth Wright, Joshua “Josh” Vaughn Porter, Alexis “Lexi” Anne Porter, Anna Lauren Wright and Alayna “Ally” Grace Porter; one sister, Vernie Porter Hudson of Natchez; and one brother, Elemuel Porter and wife, Carolyn, of Gulfport.

Pallbearers will be Gary Holloway, Sonny Daniels, Carl Niven, Ivy Ray Thornton, Jack Goss and Willie Cauthen.

Honorary pallbearers are Dunbar Bunch, Butch Thornhill, Herman Eldridge and Paul Cornelison.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Washington Baptist Church, P.O. Box 88, Washington, MS  39190.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at lairdfh.com.