Mr. James Arlin Porter, 88, of Henderson passed away Sunday Morning Aug. 21, 2022 at Henderson Health and Rehabilitation Center.
Funeral services will be 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 25, at Shackelford Funeral Directors – Crook Avenue Chapel with Bro. Clint Burkhead and Willie Davidson officiating. Burial will follow in Owens Cemetery. The family received friends at Crook Avenue from 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday.
He was born in Chester County Nov. 22, 1933, son of the late Ardie W. and Pearlie Mae Stansell Porter. He began working at an early age for Asplundh Tree Experts and was a supervisor by the age of 16. He married Betty Jean Cupples on Dec. 21, 1953. They made their home in Henderson. She preceded him in death on March 8, 1991.
He later became a self-employed tree trimmer and landscaper working with Freed-Hardeman University and The State of Tennessee at Chickasaw State Park and also Pinson Mounds.
He enjoyed sharing love to families of lost loved ones by sodding graves throughout Chester and McNairy Counties.
He loved gardening, landscaping and sharing his vast knowledge with others.
He is survived by two sons, Billy (Joan) Porter of Bethel Springs and Michael Porter of Henderson; a daughter, Joanne (Gary Russom) Canaday of Henderson; two sisters, Betty Jean Weaver of Beech Bluff and Lurene Faulkner of Henderson; sister-in-law, Bernice Buckley; seven grandchildren, Monica (Ray) Garton, Tiffany (Edward) Jones, Ashley (Nicole) Canaday, Storm Porter, Sarah Porter and Jessie (Adam) Kowing; step-granddaughter, Stacie Gates; eight great-grandchildren, Hayden Canaday, Paul Jones, Aubrey Garton, Evan Jones, Will Garton, A.J. Canaday, Ben Kowing; step-great-grandson, Joe Hall; and his fiancée, Reba Cupples of Henderson who has become a big part of his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; and three sisters, Wanna Mae Redmon, Annie Bennett, and Elvie Smith.
