Ethel Porterfield

ETHEL CLAY PORTERFIELD was born to the late Lizzie and Samuel Glover on April 3, 1930 in Swansea, Calhoun County, South Carolina. "Clay" as she was affectionately called by her family, was the first child of this union. Ethel, "Clay," accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Savior as a young child in South Carolina. She was baptized and was a fervent member of Mt Moriah Baptist Church in South Carolina. She was educated in the public schools of Swansea, South Carolina. Ethel continued her educational endeavors in Baltimore, Maryland. As an adolescent, Ethel Clay met the love of her life, Willie O’neal Porterfield. They married on March 1, 1947 while Willie was a soldier in the United States Army. While still in South Carolina, their first daughter, Dorothy (nicknamed "sister") was born. Soon after, in 1948, Ethel and Willie moved to Baltimore, Maryland where five other children were born, Rosa Marie, Morris O’neal, Loretta, Vanessa Ann and Marcelus. Ethel always enjoyed working with people. She was the "original people- person". She never met a person she couldn't get along with. In 1955, Ethel began her nursing career at Spring Grove State Hospital, where she worked for 43 years. Upon retirement, she continued to work at Dulaney Station for approximately 5 years. Ethel and the family moved to 3109 Hanlon Ave. in December 1955. For the next 58 years, Hanlon Avenue was the meeting and eating place of anyone who stepped across Ethel's threshold. Ethel loved to cook and feed people. She also enjoyed crocheting. knitting, and her favorite past- time, SHOPPING!!!! Her closets were full of clothes and her freezers were full of food. Ethel Clay LOVED Wayland Baptist Church. She was an active member of the Gospel Chorus, the Henson Ministry, and the Senior Ministry at Wayland. Ethel Clay Porterfield leaves to celebrate her legacy: her loving husband of 66 years, Willie Porterfield; six loving children, Dorothy Washington, Rosa Brown, Morris Porterfield (Cora), Loretta Barner (Dwight Myron), Vanessa Taylor (Alvin Sr.), and Marcelus Porterfield (Junko); thirteen grandchildren, Casella, Montressa, Markeith, Oneika, Michael Lee, Anthony, Alvin Jr., Daryl, O’neal, Amber, Stephen, David, and Kai; ten great-grandchildren, Jordon, Cayla, Arrin, Drew, Troy, A’Ryan, Cameron, Andrea, and two on the way; a loving aunt, Annie Ruth Thomas; one brother-in-law, Johnnie Porterfield (Delores); six sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Glover, Rose Jivers, Jessie (Jackie) Henderson, Maggie Bell Porterfield. Helen Porterfield, and Ethel Jones (Thomas); one grandson-in-Iaw, Craig Mickles; three granddaughters-in-law, Tiffany Brown, Desiree Taylor and Jocelyn Taylor; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, church family and many, many, many friends! One brother, Samuel Glover; one son-in-law, Michael Washington; and one granddaughter-in-law, Jennifer Porterfield, preceded her in death.

Tributes

Ethel Porterfield

April 3, 1930 - January 10, 2014