Linda Porter (Bolivar)'s Obituary
Linda “Mammy” Jo Porter, a treasured wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, 77 of Bolivar, Missouri, passed away on June 13, 2024.
Linda was born on February 7, 1947 to Elizabeth and Walter Hedrick in Springfield, Missouri. The day after Linda graduated from Parkview High School in 1965, she married her husband Martin Taylor Porter, Jr, who was by her side from June 4, 1965 until Linda entered eternal rest.
Martin and Linda moved to Bolivar in 1976 after purchasing a fescue seed business. They spent the next 40 years growing Porter Seed house and raising their family in the Bolivar community. Linda’s hands were full raising her ornery boys, Tony, John and Randy (and often said she raised four, including Martin in the mix). You knew you were loved if you were one of Mammy’s children but her six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren had a special place in her heart. Anyone who spent time with Mammy better be prepared to hear multiple stories about one of her children or grandchildren. Over the years she attended numerous sporting events, school concerts and graduations to support her family and would beam with pride. She cherished family birthdays and holidays, in particular Christmas and would spend most of her time at family gatherings ensuring that her family was well-loved and well-fed. Mammy was happiest when loving and serving her family.
Linda was a member of First Christian Church and Polk County Republican Women’s Club. She served as President for several different organizations including Polk County Central Committee, Polk County Republican Women’s Club and 7th District Republican Women and donated her time to many political campaigns. She was also a member of 20 Club, Beta Sigma Phi and various bridge groups. Her activities gave her the opportunity to spend time with the dear friends she made throughout her life in Bolivar. Linda also loved time at the lake and was a master slalom skier. In the early years of her marriage she enjoyed playing softball and was a pitcher on her team, The American Tank. Prior to moving to Bolivar, Linda also served in the JC wives in Memphis, Tennessee and Nevada, Missouri. Mammy enjoyed working the seed business with Martin and each year looked forward to the long weeks of harvest so she could visit with the customers who she loved like family. Linda has left her mark on the community that she loved so much and it would be hard to find anyone who doesn’t have a warm story about her to share.
She was preceded in death by her mother and best friend, Elizabeth “Nanny” (Everett) Smith, her father, Walter Hedrick, step-mother Louise Hedrick, father-in-law Martin Porter Sr., and a host of cherished aunts and uncles.
Linda is survived by her beloved Martin (Poppy), a devoted husband and partner-in-everything for the past 59 years; her three “baby” boys, Tony (Regina) Porter of Bolivar, John (Jill) Porter of Bolivar and Randy (Tanya) Porter of Ashland; six grandchildren, Austin (Sydney) Porter, Andrea Porter, Abbi (Brett) Jones, Alex (Ryan) Conley, Nova Porter and Kegan Porter; four great grandchildren, Addy Porter, Juliet Jones, Axtin Porter and Annie Jones. Linda also leaves behind her brother Larry (Diana) Hedrick, her sister Dawn Hedrick, her mother-in-law Alice Porter and a multitude of cousins, nieces and nephews, extended family and close friends.
Visitation for Linda will be held at the Butler Funeral Home Monday evening, June 17, 2024 starting at 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM. Funeral Services will be held at the First Christian Church in Bolivar on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 starting at 2:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church in Bolivar.
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