Paul B. Porter

SHELBY- Mr. Paul Baber Porter, 87, of 3058 River Rd., died Monday, June 18, 2007 at Hospice at Wendover. A native of Cleveland County, Mr. Porter grew up in Belwood. He was a son of the late W.R. and Ethel Baber Porter. He graduated from Belwood High School and then served in the Army Aircorps. Mr. Porter co-founded Porter Brothers, Inc. in 1949 and Riverbend Acres, Inc. in 1964. He had been a member of Central United Methodist Church since 1940, where he served on and chaired several committees. He was a Trustee Emeritus of Brevard College, and served on various local civic and charitable organizations including the Boards of Directors of Cleveland Regional Medical Center and the Salvation Army. He was a former director of BB&T Corporation. Mr. Porter received numerous honors for his service and contributions to higher education and the community. He was also a member of the Cleveland Lodge No. 202 AF & AM, as well as the Oasis Shrine Temple.

PRECEDED IN DEATH BY: In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers, William Robert Porter, Jr., Thomas Oliver Porter, James Philip Porter, and Joseph Mills Porter; and two sisters, Mary Porter Hulsart and Madeline Porter Propst.

SURVIVORS: Mr. Porter is survived by his wife of 60 years, Margaret Alexander Porter of the home; a daughter, Ellen Porter Warlick of Boiling Springs; a grandson, Tanner Warlick of Boiling Springs and fiancée Christine Trevino; two nephews and their wives, J. William Porter and Susan of Charlotte and Scott Porter and Beth of Shelby; five nieces and their husbands, Janet Roebuck and Alan, Martha Yelton and Bob and Nancy Tillman and Eddie, all of Shelby, Mary Fitzpatrick and Jim of Clearwater, Fla., and Patty Taylor and Jeff, of Ellicott City, MD, many great nieces and nephews; and four sisters-in-law, Kathryn McMurry Porter, Catherine Spangler Porter and Bea Porter Justis, all of Shelby and Katherine Porter Dayberry of Charlotte.
FUNERAL: The funeral will be at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, June 20, 2007 at Central United Methodist Church. Friends may view Mr. Porter from 11:00 AM until 2:00 PM Tuesday, June 19, 2007 at Clay-Barnette Funeral Home. The family will not be present during that time rather they will receive friends immediately following the service at the church and other times at the home.

BURIAL: Private family burial will be held at Cleveland Memorial Park.

OFFICIATING CLERGY: Dr. Joe Reeves and Charlie Baber

MEMORIALS: Memorials may be made to Central United Methodist Church, 200 E. Marion St., Shelby, NC 28150, the Salvation Army, 311 N. Lafayette St., Shelby, NC 28150, or to the Cleveland-Rutherford Kidney Association, 1017 N. Washington St., Shelby, NC 28150.