Richard Porter’s life story [Jackson Advocate]

Reprint December 1-7, 2005

Imagine asking for help with a level of confidence that you know your request will be granted. God provides His children with such comfort, and so did his manservant Richard Jerry Porter. Porter, owner of Porter's Insurance Agency, Inc. in Jackson, died Friday, Nov. 25, of colon cancer. He was 57.

No one specifically called Richard Porter a "philanthropist extraordinaire". However, colleagues and friends described him as such during a memorial service for him at New Hope Baptist Church in North Jackson Tuesday, Nov. 29. Typifying his life, Porter was a humble servant who served as an usher at New Hope. He not only gave of his wealth, but of his time, energy, intellect and heart. He did so until God called him to rest.

Few, if any, knew Richard Porter longer, better, or admired him more than George Smith. "We were first cousins. We grew up together; we picked cotton together," recalled Smith, a Hinds County Supervisor.

"Richard was a great guy and entrepreneur. He was a spiritually minded person who volunteered forv any worthwhile Cause. He gave to the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and community projects of any sort. He would personally come out of his pocket to help in any way he could. Richard was the pillar of his family. I relied on his advice, knowing things would go well," Supervisor Smith said.

Because of Richard Porter's generous spirit, things also went well for him, as his marks of achievement radiated from his face. "He was always happy, always smiling, always giving," stated Tina Clay, a State Farm Insurance agent. "Richard truly lived a fruitful life. He made money, but always gave it back," she said.

Born for greatness in Terry, MS to George and Clara (Thompson) Porter, Porter was named Valedictorian of Sumner Hill High School (Clinton, MS) in 1966. He attended Jackson State University where he received the Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and Political Science in 1970. Prior to entering the insurance industry, he worked for Karl Shoe Store. Porter also served as Vice President of Statewide Insurance Agency, Inc. for 10 years (1973-83) before establishing Porter's Insurance Agency, Inc. on October 1, 1983. He completed course work at Millsaps College in 1993 to become a Certified Property and Casualty Underwriter.

Matt Thomas, owner of Statewide Insurance Agency, is credited with teaching Richard Porter the business. "Matt did a fantastic job training Richard. Insurance is a tough business. It's hard to survive when you're selling paper to make it in this world," said Howard Catchings, founder of Catchings Insurance Agency in Jackson.

Catchings continued: "We have lost a giant; a really wonderful person in our community. Everyone will miss him - his beautiful wife and daughter, his church, insurance agents and his friends. The Lord knows best, but it's got to be tough."

Matt Thomas chose only a few words to summarize his former partner's worth. "This brings to close a legend," he said.

Another insurance agent, Perry Paige, had this to say about his colleague. "I've known Richard since I came out of Alcorn State University in 1970. We've been personal and business friends ever since. He's been a good friend. I will truly miss him."

Richard Porter had many friends who admired his spirit and triumph over death. His life could easily be pieced together in a book and placed on any coffee table large enough and sturdy enough to hold its contents.

"He was a great guy, a great person. He will be greatly missed," commented Jackson attorney Herbert Lee.

"Greatly missed."

"Greatly missed."

"Greatly missed."

Everyone who spoke of Richard Porter at his memorial service ended with those words, including Congressman Bennie Thompson (D-MS) -"Richard was an excellent businessman, community leader, all around first class person. He'll be greatly missed."

Another who recognizes the tremendous loss to the Jackson community is Sam Jefferson, longtime Sports Information Director at JSU.

"Richard was the truest supporter of Jackson State University athletics I know," stated Jefferson. "He wasn't a supporter by mouth. He put his money where his mouth was. He was a giant in the civic community, a leader on the usher board at New Hope Baptist Church, and a leader in the Blue Bengal Athletic Association."

According to JSU's legendary head football coach, W.C. Gorden, "There were four kids - Ralph Barney, Charles Beard, Robert Funches and Richard Porter who I taught Concepts of Health to in their freshman year at Jackson State. I wanted them to head up a booster club, and when they graduated they organized the Blue Bengal Athletic Association. They were an outstanding group of young men who were spiritually sound leaders. I credit them with the seven SWAC championships we won in the 1980s and the one we won in 1990."

Coach Gorden believes that Porter will be able to help JSU win more football games in the future with his booster club in Heaven. "... like Lucy the mule that pulled the car out of the ditch, Richard will pull the Tigers out of the ditch they're in."

Charles Beard, one of the four young men Coach Gorden spoke of, said the booster club started out as a way to help kids. "We wanted the kids to know we appreciated them. They were from poor backgrounds and we wanted to help. We used basketball and football as a way to give back to JSU by showing people they could be cared about."

Beard, a 1971 graduate of JSU, spent the past three decades building a lasting relationship with Richard Porter. "We became Master Masons together; we did everything together. He was my friend, my buddy, my everything. His love was for the children. He provided a pathway for them. I called him the bridge builder," Beard said.

Besides the Blue Bengals, Porter held memberships in the T.C. Almore Lodge Masons, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, 100 Black Men of Jackson, NAACP and the Jackson State University National Alumni Association. In his ever-busy life of service, was there ever time for Richard?

"We formed a union. We would sit back, talk, and try to solve the world's problems. You have to understand that Richard was a family man. The things we did centered around family. He loved his family. They were his happiness," stated Beard.

Jackson State University was Richard Porter's extended family. And without question, his love for JSU athletics showed through.

Longtime JSU baseball coach Robert Braddy said, "Richard could have been a heck of a coach. Coaches always tell their players not to brag about what they can do. We tell them to think you're the best, but don't tell anybody. That's the way Richard lived his life," he said.

Herbert Terry, former president of the Blue Bengal Athletic Association, has had a 30-year relationship with Richard Porter. "Richard was a good, true, and dependable friend. I met Richard in the early 1970s. I found out he was an avid Jackson State supporter. I became involved when I joined the Blue Bengals in the early 1980s. Richard was not only a founding member but a staunch supporter. We used his office as our headquarters," recalled Terry.

Athletics isn't the only department that reaped the benefits of Richard Porter's generosity. Dr. Jimmie James, Chair of JSU's Music Department, said, "He was a strong supporter of the Church Music Workshop. When I didn't have enough funds to carry on the workshop I could go to Richard for help. He was an inspiration to me, as he was to many others."

Dr. Jimmie James and Richard Porter served together on the Jackson Redevelopment Authority Board. "He was my mentor on the board. I learned so much from him. He was a good, decent person," stated Dr. James. Porter served as JRA Chairman for more than 12 years.

Thanking him for his years of dedication to Jackson State was President Ronald Mason Jr. "Richard loved Jackson State and left us something we can build upon for the future," he said.

There are others who applaud Richard Porter for his life of service. "Richard was a good person, community minded, and a big supporter of Jackson State University," stated Jackson attorney John Walker.

Jackson Public Schools Disciplinary Supervisor Dr. Peggy Crowell commented that, "Richard was an outstanding person, a wonderful entrepreneur, devoted husband, father and marvelous Mississippian."

"Richard was such a caring and loving friend. He was well respected among his colleagues," said Carolyn Nelson of Jackson State.

Robert Bradley, Chair of the Usher Board at New Hope Baptist Church, met Richard Porter in 1968 when he came to Jackson. "We've remained friends to the last day," Bradley said. "Richard loved God, family, and his church. He was a true friend."

It really doesn't matter the length of time one knew Richard Porter. A single encounter would give him opportunity to share a smile, offer advice, or even write a check.

"I got to know Richard quite well over the past 10 years," said Rev. Eugene McLemore, who heads up the Mississippi Community Development Division. "He was always friendly, always the kind of guy to give service beyond the call of duty. We love him."

This writer also knew Richard Porter. Twenty years would be easy to calculate. In those years, he never hesitated when asked to advertise in the Jackson Advocate. He was a longtime subscriber to the newspaper. Porter also financially contributed to sporting events, including the Mississippi Stingers ABA team.

We had a mutual friend, the late Alvin Benson, owner of Cross Communications, a print shop and public relations firm. It was Porter who Benson would call to keep his business afloat for a day, which turned into weeks, months and years because of Porter's financial assistance.

We also had the same hair stylist, Roman Williams of Romeo's Hair Force. "I cut his hair for almost 30 years. To me, Richard was a very good friend and brother, a man who would help anyone who asked him. He was a pillar of positive strength in the Farish Street community and Jackson State. He cherished his family and friends," Williams said.

Although thousands of Mississippians liked and loved Richard Jerry Porter, it is undeniable that he loved them more.

The memory and spirit of this kind, humble man whose life was characterized by generosity and support for his family, his church, his community and to education, will be cherished by his devoted wife, Gailya Porter, principal at Smith Elementary School; his loving daughter, LaToya Denise, a student at Xavier University; three brothers, Johnny Porter, Alfred (Christal) Porter, and Robert (Rhonda) Porter, Jackson, Miss.; two sisters, Clara Porter (Emmanuel) Chapman, Jackson, Miss., and Willie Porter (Charlie) Davis, West Point, Miss.; his mother-in-law, Etta Magee, one brother-in-law, Wendell (Diane) Magee, and one sister-inlaw, Antrease (Phillip) Autman, all of Monticello, Miss.; two aunts, Ella Mae Field and Montel Jackson, Terry, Miss.; thirty-two nephews and nieces, four god-children, and numerous relatives and friends. (His parents and two sisters preceded him in death.)