Thomas Guy Porter

Thomas Guy Porter, 89, former long-time resident of Columbia, died Thursday, December 16, 2010 at Wayne Care Nursing Center in Waynesboro. Funeral services will be conducted Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at Oakes & Nichols with Rev. Randall Runions officiating and Masonic Rites offered by Grayford Franks, conductor and fellow Masons. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens with military honors provided by Herbert Griffin American Legion Post #19. The family will visit with friends Sunday from 12:30 p.m. to service time. Notes of sympathy may be sent to www.oakesandnichols.com. Born in Robertson County, he was the son of the late Thomas Glenn Porter and Annie Mai Fehrman Porter. Following graduation from Columbia Central High School in 1941, he joined the United States Coast Guard, serving during World War II as a Pharmacist's Mate First Class. Mr. Porter owned and operated Porter Shell Service Station for a number of years. He later served as a Criminal Investigator for the District Attorney. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Clifton where he made his home for several years. Survivors include his wife, Grace Bailey Porter, whom he married September 22, 1946; daughters, Glynda Jayne Howell and Sarah Jo Hamilton, both of Clifton; a son, John Thomas (Ginger) Porter of Pensacola, Florida; brothers, Ray Porter of Nashville and Charles Clayton (Margo) Porter of Ft. Myers, Florida; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Grant Porter and Dudley Porter. Serving as pallbearers are his grandchildren, Stacie Berck, Simon Porter, Maggie Porter, Nick Porter, Grace Gibbs, Hannah Givens, Cody Harrison, Tom Harrison, and Gracen Harrison. Honorary Pallbearers include nephews, Deb Farmer, Taz Farmer, Billy Porter, and Clay Porter.