By Jim Meridith
Posted: Updated:
10 Comments
  • Visitation

    11:00 am to 1:00 pm
    Monday, Jan. 10, 2022
    Red Brush Christian Church
    Louisville, Illinois

  • Service

    1:00 pm
    Monday, Jan. 10, 2022
    Red Brush Christian Church
    Louisville, IL

  • Full Obituary


    Bernita L. “Memom” Porter, 93, of Louisville, Illinois passed away Thursday, January 6, 2022, at her home surrounded by her family.

    Bernita was born September 1, 1928, at Rinard, Illinois to Berlie Hawkins and Edna (Spriggs) Barnfield.  She married Henry L. Porter April 12, 1947, at Morganfield, Kentucky.  He preceded her in death February 15, 2012.

    Bernita retired as a Physical Therapist Assistant at Clay County Hospital having worked twenty-five years.  She retired this past year after serving sixty as custodian at Red Brush Christian Church.  She loved to square dance and garden.  She had been a member of Red Brush Christian Church at Louisville, Illinois over seventy-four years.

    Bernita is survived by two daughters Vondalee  (Stanley) Jones of Vienna, Illinois and Bonnie Porter of Louisville, Illinois; two sons Gary Porter and Steve (Judy) Porter both of Louisville; one brother Bill Barnfield of Geff, Illinois; ten grandchildren Devona (Doug) Haws, Cody Scott, Kerri (Adam) Schackmann, Holli (Steve) Schultz, Josh (Michelle) Porter, Amy (Jeff) Walker, Mandy (Brad) Clark, Davie Jones, Dusty Jones, and Kassie Jones; 18 great grandchildren Kelci (Brandon) Hunter, Destiny Scott, Kollin (Rachael) Haw, Addisyn Schackmann, Treyton Schackmann, Everly Schackmann, Kyle Porter, Taylor (Garrett) Hall, Brayden (Libby) Kuhns, Kylee (River) Schultz, Alaya Schultz-Price, Morgan (Dylan) Bailey, Bryce Walker (fiancé Mackenzie Rinehart), Zain Walker, Brady Clark, Lucy Clark, Hadlie Jones, and Porter Jones,; and four great-great grandchildren Mabry and Henry Hunter, Sophia Haws and Blakleigh Mae Schultz.

    Preceding her in death were her parents, husband Henry, daughter-in-law Rita Porter, brothers John, Howard, Harry, Freddy, sisters Vera Case, Thelma Case, Junie Harrell, and Dorothy Daugherty, half-brothers and sisters Paul, Curtis, Burl, Lillian Bayes, and Ruth Carey.

    Funeral service:  1:00 pm Monday, January 10, 2022, at Red Brush Christian Church, Louisville, Illinois.

    Visitation: 11:00 am to 1:00 pm Monday at the church.

    Burial:  Red Brush Cemetery.

    Memorials:  Red Brush Christian Church Funeral Meal Fund and will be accepted at the service or the funeral home.

    Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.meridithfuneralhome.com.

    Hosselton-Meridith Funeral Home, Cisne, IL.

     

     

Condolences are reviewed and published within 24 hours.

10 Condolences
 
  1. Leon & Glenda Sharp / January 7, 2022 at 4:56 pm

    Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. A nicer lady than Bernita has never lived. She was a wonderful
    person., a good Christian lady.

  2. Alan and Norma Buck / January 8, 2022 at 5:04 am

    Sympathy is extended to The Family. Sorry for Your Loss.

  3. Steve and Betty Stanford / January 8, 2022 at 10:00 am

    Thoughts and prayers for all families and friends. She was always a beautiful kind lady and will be missed

  4. Susan Allison / January 8, 2022 at 10:10 am

    My thoughts and prayers are with Bernita’s family. I first met her in 1972 while I was a candystriper at Clay County Hospital. My first day I was sent to Physical Therapy and there met Bernita and Carolyn Dillman. From that first time meeting Bernita she treated me like an old friend. I loved her and look forward to the day I’ll hear her voice once again.
    Rest in God’s Peace my friend.

  5. Julie Byrd / January 8, 2022 at 11:26 am

    Bernita was such a sweet person and I loved visiting with her. Prayers for her family

  6. Sherry Gibbs / January 8, 2022 at 9:38 pm

    She was like family. Loved her so much.

  7. David & Connie Birch / January 8, 2022 at 10:28 pm

    Our sympathies to the family. I’m sure you will miss your mom/memom. We’re happy for Henry, he’s got his Bernita back again. It was always a joy to visit with this fun couple at church functions.

  8. Jim Richards / January 9, 2022 at 2:42 pm

    Sorry for the loss of your Mother. Sorry can’t make service but thoughts and prayers will be with the family.
    Jim and Joann Richards

  9. Brian Cheryl / January 11, 2022 at 10:06 pm

    So sorry to here of Bernita’s passìng Bonnie and Devona. Love her so much. She always remembered who I was when she would see me even though it had been several years since I left our small home town. She would always ask about Mom and the rest of the Bailey siblings. So thankful for her service to our Red Brush Church and families there. She was always there cooking the funeral dinners for all of our family’s services. Sadly that has been way to many.
    I have to work and won’t be able to make to the services. Sending my love, hugs and prayers to you all.
    Cheryl.

  10. Mary Sefton Saras / January 12, 2022 at 12:39 pm

    Aunt Bernita was an angel on Earth. I last saw her and got to catch up with her at Phil’s funeral lunch in 2020. I’m so glad that I got to visit with her one last time. She was truly a gentle and kind soul, and she loved her family beyond words. Hugs go out to my cousins, Bonnie, Gary, Steve, Vondalee, and their extended families.

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