Mary Elizabeth Porter

Mary Elizabeth Porter, 87, of Du Quoin, passed away at 3:40 p.m., Saturday, May 31, 2008 at her residence.

Mary was a homemaker.  She had also worked as a housekeeper and at P.R. Mallory.  She was a Charter Member of the Spirit of Life Christian Church in Du Quoin.  She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and a past member of the V.F.W. Auxiliary.

She was born March 6, 1921 at Jackson County, the daughter of Sherman and Ruth (Lefler) Heape.

She married Carl A. Porter on December 18, 1937 at DeSoto, and he preceded her in death on September 19, 2006.

She is survived by three daughters, Patricia M. Bechtlofft and husband Dennis of El Paso, Texas, Connie Carney and husband Richard of Hillsboro, and Jane Pursell of Du Quoin; seven grandchildren, Louis Bechtlofft, Leah Bechtlofft, Melanie Hayes, Timothy Carney, Daniel Carney and wife Diana, Mike Pursell and wife Donna, and Elizabeth Pursell; one sister, Audrey Groom of Osage, Okla.; one brother, Abraham Heape; nine great grandchildren and four great great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two brothers; four sisters; and two grandsons, Bryan Bechtlofft and Ronald Bechtlofft.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, June 5, at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin with Rev. Gerald Wright officiating.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m., Wednesday at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin.
Burial will be in the Sunset Memorial Park at Du Quoin.

Friends may make memorials to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation or Spirit of Life Christian Church and will be accepted at the funeral home.

For additional information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.searbyfuneralhomes.com.
