Mary Elizabeth Martin Porter

CHARLOTTE - Mary Elizabeth Martin Porter, a longtime Weaverville resident, died in Charlotte on July 16, 2025, after several years of declining health. She was 94.

A beloved wife, mother, grandparent, sister, friend and teacher, she was born Dec. 1, 1930, in rural Scotland County, NC, to Ferdinand and Mary Holder Martin.

Mary grew up in Laurinburg, NC. Family and playmates called her “Sister” because her young siblings (George, Albert and Nellie) couldn’t wrap their mouths around “Mary Elizabeth.” The nickname stuck. She was known for her kindness, sweet Southern charm and lilting laugh, which ranged from an infectious giggle to a near meltdown of mirth.

While she frowned on profanity, Mary had a sly wit and an appreciation for earthy, even risqué, humor. She loved classic “Saturday Night Live” episodes and thought Chaucer’s bawdy “The Miller’s Tale” one of the funniest things ever written. (She read it in the original Middle English.)

She met her future husband Don Porter while she was visiting her Aunt Vashti in St. Pauls, NC. After graduating from high school, where she was valedictorian, they married in 1951. During Don’s Navy hitch they lived in Key West, FL. After he graduated from NC State University, they moved to Wilmington, DE, for his job at DuPont. There they began raising their sons, Bill and Mark, while Mary took classes at the University of Delaware.

The family moved to Weaverville in 1968. Mary enrolled at UNC-Asheville, graduating with high honors. In her 11-year teaching career at Weaverville Primary School, she helped more than 200 first graders get their start as readers.

Mary and Don joined First Baptist Church Weaverville in 1968. They were active members, serving as Sunday School teachers and delivering Meals on Wheels for years.

During retirement, Mary loved traveling and spending time with her grandchildren. She doted on them as kids and felt proud of them as adults. Her great-grandchildren brought her joy, too.

Mary is survived by her son, Bill, and his wife, Anya Breitenbach; daughter-in-law, Julie Downing Porter; grandchildren Stephanie Porter, Anna Porter Crowell (Andrew) and Ryan Porter, and great-grandchildren Aubrey and Logan Crowell, plus numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by Don, her loving husband of 67 years, and her son Mark.

Services will be held July 26 at First Baptist Church Weaverville. Visitation begins at 1:15 pm, with the funeral at 2:30 pm. Rev. Dr. Stuart Lamkin and Rev. Dr. Jim McCoy will preside. Burial follows at Ashelawn Gardens of Memory.

The family thanks the staff of The Haven in Charlotte for Mary’s care in her last years.

While flowers are welcome, friends are encouraged to donate to a memory care charity of their choice or Meals on Wheels.

West Family Funeral Services is honored to be serving Mary’s family. Condolences may be offered to the family under her obituary at www.westfamilyfuneralservices.com.