Rachel Matilda Johnson Porter, the eldest of eleven children was born to Deloris Pratt on April
20, 1925 and lovingly adopted by Isaac Pratt who was a devoted father. Rachel quietly and
peacefully entered into eternal rest on Wednesday morning, November 15, 2017 in St. Louis,
Missouri.

She grew up in Eufaula, Oklahoma where she attended elementary and high school years at
Booker T. Washington school. During a visit with her cousin in Holdenville, Oklahoma she
met the love of her life, Otis Porter and they were married February 26, 1943.

She enjoyed cooking, canning, gardening, playing dominoes with her children and fishing with
her lifetime childhood friend, Anna Mae Atchison who preceded her in death. She then
mandated new fishing partners in her son, Dwight and her brother Lymar. She was hooked,
addicted and strung out on FISHING. So obsessed with fishing and the demands she imposed
on them, it sometimes required them to get up extra early and literally sneak out of the house
while she was still asleep.

In 1978 she relocated to San Jose, California where she lived for several years and faithfully
attended Eighth Street Church of Christ under the leadership of Brother Tim Luster. She loved
her minister and the congregation. In 2011 she moved to Redwood City, California with her
daughter Doris. She united with Westside Church of Christ in San Mateo, California where
she faithfully served until relocating to Eufaula in 2012. She then united with Eufaula Church
of Christ and was faithful there as well. Her health began its slow decline and she moved to St.
Louis, Missouri to be with her baby daughter, Sandi who took meticulous care of her until God
called her home.

She lived a happy and fulfilling life. She was a God fearing woman and raised her children
accordingly. Her children respected and loved her. They not only told her how much they loved
her – they showed it. She had numerous "adopted" children who were her children's
classmates, friends and children in the various congregations where she attended worship.
Everywhere she lived and worshiped people loved her. She received various commendations
throughout the years which expressed the givers' respect and love.
• 1994: She was honored at the Porter-Pratt Family Reunion
• 1996: Mother of the Year Award from the Eighth Street Church of Christ
• 1997: Celebration of Age, a gift from God – Westside Church of Christ
• 1998: Certificate of Appreciation – Eighth Street Church of Christ
• 2001: Half Century Honoree – 38th Annual Preachers & Leaders Forum
• 2015: Honoree 90th Birthday Celebration

Preceding her in death: her mother and stepfather, Deloris and Isaac Pratt; three sisters: Ocie
Johnson, Bobbie Jean Johnson and Pearl Pratt-Dixson; three brothers, Dan, Emery and
Prentis Pratt. She leaves behind to cherish her memory of a life well lived, seven children; Doris
Porter-Williams (Larry) of Redwood City, CA - Loretta Porter-Nash, Oklahoma City, OK –
Douglas Porter, Tulsa, OK – Althea Porter-Steptoe, Brentwood, CA – Sandi Porter, Saint Louis,
MO–Pastor Dwight Porter (Evangelist Joyce) Eufaula, OK and Stanley Porter – Reno, NV; Three
sisters, Ivory Simpson, Tulsa, OK – Onetta Wright, Palmdale, CA – Jesteen Guess, Oklahoma
City, OK – one brother Lymar Pratt, Beaumont, CA; Fourteen grandchildren, thirty great
grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren; a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, other
relatives, close and dear friends: Maude Etheridge, Johnny & Betty Wood, Vera Jones and
Bessie Laws.


Services for Ms. Porter will be Saturday December 9, 2017 at 11:00AM at Eufaula Church of Christ located at 200 Grand Avenue in Eufaula.

Visitation for Ms. Porter will be Friday December 8, 2017 from 2PM until 6PM at Sulphur Springs Baptist Church in Eufaula.

Interment will follow the service at Evergreen Cemetery in Eufaula.