Eleanor Ruth Porter

1930 – 2021

Eleanor Ruth Lefler Porter (Ellie), beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great-grandmother and friend to many, passed from this life on February 15, 2021 and has entered her eternal home.

Born on November 9, 1930 in McDonough County, Illinois, Ellie spent her 90 years, 3 months and 6 days in service to others spreading joy and love to all who knew her.

She was married to her true love, Wm. Lewis (Lewie) Porter for 61 years before his passing and together they made a family and many beautiful memories.

Ellie was the consummate homemaker and a true partner to Lewie assisting with his life’s work in the Dairy Cattle and farm management business. Together, they enjoyed hosting others in their home and traveling throughout this Country and abroad. She and Lewie lived in six different States during their marriage developing lifelong friendships and always keeping in touch with old friends while making new ones. She served as a former Secretary of the National Holstein Women’s Service Organization and she and Lewie were founding members of a 4-H Club in Boyle County, Kentucky during Lewie’s tenure as Dairy Cattle Manager for the prominent Happy Valley Farms.

Ms. Ellie, as she was affectionately known, centered her life around servitude to her church, family and friends. She was a charter member of the United Methodist Women, lent her beautiful voice to many choirs, taught Sunday School classes, was a member of the Red Hat Society, the Sarah Bagby Circle, Bible Diggers Bible Study, Health and Wellness Committee and Merry Widows Group. Along with her husband, Ellie formed a Church fellowship group aptly named “Porter’s Pals” comprised of many couples and friends who shared Christian fellowship and dinners and other fun events throughout many years. She served in several roles within her beloved Southern Hills United Methodist Church including as a Stephen Minister, member of finance and administrative boards and most recently as Church Lay Leader. Sharing her talents and blessing others was indeed a great blessing to Ellie. She loved all people and met no strangers. Everyone was a dear friend in the making who she wanted to welcome into her Church family.

Ellie’s love for Southern Hills United Methodist Church is perhaps only surpassed by her love for family. She was the youngest of five children and remained close to each of her four siblings throughout their lives. As each passed on to their heavenly rewards, “Aunt” Ellie became the Matriarch of the whole family tenaciously keeping her siblings’ children close with family reunions, regular visits, phone calls and letters.

Her greatest loves, whom made her most proud, were her three children, daughter Nikki Ruth Porter (Evans) Wright, and sons, Kevin Lewis (Sue) Porter and Korey Clark Porter (Dana Parr). They gave her beautiful grandchildren, Stacey Porter (Ian) Wheeler, Andrew Kevin Porter, Wm. Justin Porter, Olivia Porter, Audrey Porter (Spencer) Collins, and Aubrey Wright (Nathan) York. They continued her legacy and the cycle of her life with Great-Grandchildren, Henry Wheeler, Teddy Wheeler, Ethan Porter, Liam Collins, Rowan Collins, Remi York and Lakelyn York.

In addition to her Husband, Ellie is predeceased by her daughter Nikki, her grandson Andrew and her great-grandson Teddy.

Both Ellie and Lewie were volunteer participants in the University of Kentucky Sanders -Brown Center on Aging and were proud to be organ donors in their research project on Alzheimer’s Disease.

Her life was a full and blessed one. She loved ferociously and was loved deeply. She leaves us with broken hearts wanting another 90 years with her though we all rejoice in the life she had on this earth, the example she was to all of us and the joyous reunion she is now having with all those who have gone before her. Our world will never be the same but we will cherish precious memories and look forward to seeing her again.

Our Pastor, Jim Nichols, has a favorite saying which he uses in closing sermons, letters, etc. “Grace and Peace”. Ellie loved that so we will all remember that this is exactly what she is experiencing now as she stands in the presence of her Lord and Savior, Grace and Peace.

A memorial and celebration of her life will be planned for a future date. In honor of Ellie remembrances may be given in her name to Southern Hills United Methodist Church, 2356 Harrodsburg Rd., Lexington, KY 40503.