Norman Porter Obituary Norman Earl Porter August 7, 1935 － February 12, 2024 Newsoms (Gum) － Norman Earl Porter, 88 passed peacefully on February 12, 2024, in his home with his loving wife of 65 years, Edna Ree and family by his side. Norman was born in Newsoms on Cypress Bridge Road on August 7, 1935, to the late Benjamin "Doll" Franklin Porter and Louise Catherine (Bryant) Porter. Norman grew up in Newsoms and graduated from Newsoms High School in 1953. He met Edna Ree in 1953 at Whiteway Cafe in Boykins and they dated till 1958 when they married on October 25th. After working at the Cutchins Feed Store then the A&P he went to work at Union Camp right after Army National Guard basic training in Ft Knox Kentucky and Fort Bliss Texas. He served proudly from 1958 to 1964. He worked at Union Camp in automotive maintenance for 39 years and retired in 1997. In his teen years, he spent a lot of time at Mr. George Miles garage on Main Street in Newsoms learning auto and small engine repair. In 1978, he purchased the garage and renamed it Porter‚Äôs Garage. Norman is a lifelong member of the Newsoms United Methodist church serving as a trustee. He is also a founding member of the Newsoms Volunteer Fire Department. Norman enjoyed building race cars that were raced at the Southampton Speedway in Branchville and his special car number was "947". Every Sunday, during race season you could find Norman after church in his recliner watching a NASCAR race. He started the Newsoms Tractor pullers which stayed in existence for 20 plus years in which he won numerous lawn mower pulls. He loved to garden growing numerous fresh vegetables and was a beekeeper too. In his retirement years, his love for animals including his cat Miss Kitty and bird watching became his hobby. He also enjoyed meeting up with his friends at Porter‚Äôs Garage and many concerts and dinners with friends. He looked forward to the summer visits with the grandkids and took them on go-cart and mini-bike rides and always loved sharing homemade ice cream with them too. He was one of the people who started the Newsoms 4th of July parade and he always enjoyed driving his 1949 Ford tractor and many times pulling a float with the grandkids on it. He is hoping that people will remember him as generous friend and a man of faith. Left to cherish his memory is the love of his life Edna Ree (Butler) Porter. They celebrated 65 years of marriage this past year. He is also survived by two daughters he called "sweet". Norma Ree Harakas (Andrew) of Belmont, NC and Renee Porter Lassiter (Clete) of Boykins, VA, eight wonderful grandchildren and one great grandson. Andrew Harakas (Ashley) and their son, Jaxon of Belmont, NC. Chrysanthe Harakas Hill (Josh) of Rutherfordton, NC, Alexander Harakas (Courtney) of Carmel, IN, Constantine Harakas of Belmont, NC, Christopher Harakas of Belmont, NC, Travis Porter Webster of Dallas, TX, Madison Webster Byrne (Bradley) of Rockford, MI and Garrett Lassiter (Hope) of Boykins, VA. He is also survived by his two sisters, Joyce Vick (Carroll) of Myrtle Beach and Linda Pulley of Va Beach and one brother-in-law Roy "Buddy" Butler (Betty) and several cousins, nephews and many close friends. A celebration of life with military honors will be held at 2 pm on Sunday, February 18th , at Newsoms United Methodist Church and graveside service to follow at Hollywood Cemetary in Newsoms with Michael Baugham officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the social hall at Newsoms United Methodist Church. Memorial donations can be made to Newsoms United Methodist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 245 Newsoms, VA 23874, Newsoms Fire Department PO Box 209 Newsoms, VA 23874 or Boykins Fire & Rescue at PO Box 347 Boykins, VA 23827. We would like to thank the staff of Perimeter Healthcare and Gentiva Hospice for their exceptional care. Obituary published on Legacy.com by Wright Funeral Home and Crematory － Franklin on Feb. 13, 2024. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See also: 1) https://www.wrightfuneralhome.org/obituary/Norman-Porter 2) https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/norman-porter-obituary?id=54364143 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ### Narrative Summary of the Obituary: Norman Earl Porter, 88, of Newsoms, Virginia, passed away on 12 February 2024. He was a lifelong member of Newsoms United Methodist Church, a founding member of Newsoms Volunteer Fire Department, and enjoyed building race cars, gardening, and spending time with his family. Porter is survived by his wife of 65 years, Edna Ree, two daughters, eight grandchildren, and one great-grandson. ### Narrative Summary of Funeral Services: A celebration of life with military honors for Norman Earl Porter was held at 2 pm on 18 February at Newsoms United Methodist Church. A graveside service followed at Hollywood Cemetery in Newsoms, with Michael Baugham officiating. The family received friends one hour prior to the service at the social hall at Newsoms United Methodist Church. ## The Edited Obituary Norman Earl Porter 7 August 1935 - 12 February 2024 Newsoms (Gum) - Norman Earl Porter, 88, passed peacefully on 12 February 2024, in his home with his loving wife of 65 years, Edna Ree, and family by his side. Norman was born in Newsoms on Cypress Bridge Road on 7 August 1935, to the late Benjamin "Doll" Franklin Porter and Louise Catherine (Bryant) Porter. Norman grew up in Newsoms and graduated from Newsoms High School in 1953. He met Edna Ree in 1953 at Whiteway Cafe in Boykins and they dated until 1958 when they married on 25 October. After working at the Cutchins Feed Store then the A&P, he went to work at Union Camp right after Army National Guard basic training in Ft Knox, Kentucky and Fort Bliss, Texas. He served proudly from 1958 to 1964. He worked at Union Camp in automotive maintenance for 39 years and retired in 1997. In his teen years, he spent a lot of time at Mr. George Miles' garage on Main Street in Newsoms learning auto and small engine repair. In 1978, he purchased the garage and renamed it Porters Garage. Norman is a lifelong member of the Newsoms United Methodist Church serving as a trustee. He is also a founding member of the Newsoms Volunteer Fire Department. Norman enjoyed building race cars that were raced at the Southampton Speedway in Branchville and his special car number was "947". Every Sunday, during race season you could find Norman after church in his recliner watching a NASCAR race. He started the Newsoms Tractor pullers which stayed in existence for 20 plus years in which he won numerous lawn mower pulls. He loved to garden growing numerous fresh vegetables and was a beekeeper too. In his retirement years, his love for animals including his cat Miss Kitty and bird watching became his hobby. He also enjoyed meeting up with his friends at Porters Garage and many concerts and dinners with friends. He looked forward to the summer visits with the grandkids and took them on go-cart and mini-bike rides and always loved sharing homemade ice cream with them too. He was one of the people who started the Newsoms 4th of July parade and he always enjoyed driving his 1949 Ford tractor and many times pulling a float with the grandkids on it. He is hoping that people will remember him as generous friend and a man of faith. Left to cherish his memory is the love of his life Edna Ree (Butler) Porter. They celebrated 65 years of marriage this past year. He is also survived by two daughters he called "sweet". Norma Ree Harakas (Andrew) of Belmont, NC and Renee Porter Lassiter (Clete) of Boykins, VA, eight wonderful grandchildren and one great grandson. Andrew Harakas (Ashley) and their son, Jaxon of Belmont, NC. Chrysanthe Harakas Hill (Josh) of Rutherfordton, NC, Alexander Harakas (Courtney) of Carmel, IN, Constantine Harakas of Belmont, NC, Christopher Harakas of Belmont, NC, Travis Porter Webster of Dallas, TX, Madison Webster Byrne (Bradley) of Rockford, MI and Garrett Lassiter (Hope) of Boykins, VA. He is also survived by his two sisters, Joyce Vick (Carroll) of Myrtle Beach and Linda Pulley of Va Beach and one brother-in-law Roy "Buddy" Butler (Betty) and several cousins, nephews and many close friends. A celebration of life with military honors will be held at 2 pm on 18 February, at Newsoms United Methodist Church and graveside service to follow at Hollywood Cemetery in Newsoms with Michael Baugham officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the social hall at Newsoms United Methodist Church. Memorial donations can be made to Newsoms United Methodist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 245 Newsoms, VA 23874, Newsoms Fire Department PO Box 209 Newsoms, VA 23874 or Boykins Fire & Rescue at PO Box 347 Boykins, VA 23827. We would like to thank the staff of Perimeter Healthcare and Gentiva Hospice for their exceptional care. ### Vital Statistics Summary | Name | Norman Earl Porter | |---------|-------------------------------------| | Age | 88 years | | Birth | 7 August 1935; Newsoms, Virginia | | Death | 12 February 2024; Newsoms, Virginia | ### Table of Relationships | Name | Relationship | Residence | |----------------------------------|--------------------------|--------------------------------| | Norman Earl Porter | Decedent | Newsoms, Virginia | | Edna Ree (Butler) Porter | Spouse | Newsoms, Virginia | | Benjamin Doll Franklin Porter | Parent | Newsoms, Virginia | | Louise Catherine (Bryant) Porter | Parent | Newsoms, Virginia | | Norma Ree Harakas | Child | Belmont, North Carolina | | Renee Porter Lassiter | Child | Boykins, Virginia | | Andrew Harakas | Grandchild | Belmont, North Carolina | | Chrysanthe Harakas Hill | Grandchild | Rutherfordton, North Carolina | | Alexander Harakas | Grandchild | Carmel, Indiana | | Constantine Harakas | Grandchild | Belmont, North Carolina | | Christopher Harakas | Grandchild | Belmont, North Carolina | | Travis Porter Webster | Grandchild | Dallas, Texas | | Madison Webster Byrne | Grandchild | Rockford, Michigan | | Garrett Lassiter | Grandchild | Boykins, Virginia | | Joyce Vick | Sibling | Myrtle Beach, South Carolina | | Linda Pulley | Sibling | Virginia Beach, Virginia | | Roy Buddy Butler | Sibling-in-law | -- | ## Other Relevant Information 1. Norman Earl Porter graduated from Newsoms High School in 1953. 2. He met his wife Edna Ree in 1953 at Whiteway Cafe in Boykins. 3. Norman served proudly in the Army National Guard from 1958 to 1964. 4. He worked at Union Camp in automotive maintenance for 39 years, retiring in 1997. 5. As a teenager, Norman spent a lot of time at Mr. George Miles' garage on Main Street in Newsoms, learning auto and small engine repair. 6. In 1978, he purchased the garage and renamed it Porter's Garage. 7. Norman was a lifelong member of the Newsoms United Methodist Church, serving as a trustee. 8. He was a founding member of the Newsoms Volunteer Fire Department. 9. Norman enjoyed building race cars that were raced at the Southampton Speedway in Branchville, with his special car number being "947". 10. He started the Newsoms Tractor Pullers, which stayed in existence for over 20 years, and he won numerous lawn mower pulls. 11. Norman loved to garden, growing numerous fresh vegetables, and was a beekeeper too. 12. In his retirement years, his love for animals, including his cat Miss Kitty, and bird watching became his hobbies. 13. He was one of the people who started the Newsoms 4th of July parade. 14. Norman enjoyed driving his 1949 Ford tractor, often pulling a float with his grandkids on it.