A Loving Tribute
Betty Jane Smith Porter was born on April 21, 1936, to the late Richard Leroy Smith, Sr. and the late Panchetta Thomas Smith.

Betty gave her life to the Lord at the age of twelve and was a lifelong member of Harmony Missionary Baptist Church. She served the Lord byparticipating in the Youth Choir and Usher Boards. As a young adult, she taught Sunday School, B.Y.P.U., and Vacation Bible School. She also served on the Junior Women Mission, the Culinary Committee, helped in the nursery, and with the Youth Choir. Betty was also the Church Clerk/Announcement reader, a member of Choir #2, Usher Board #2, and the City-Wide Ushers. Her favorite church events were preparing and presenting the African- American History programs and plays. In later years, she and her sister, Helen, volunteered in the Food Pantry.

Betty was educated in the Polk County Public Schools and graduated from Rochelle High School class of 1953. In high school, she played the clarinet in the marching and concert bands. She played on the basketball team and volunteered on varies committees. She continued her education on the highest of seven hills at Florida Agriculture & Mechanical University (FAMU) receiving a B.S. in Elementary Education in 1957. Betty was a staff member of the Rattler yearbook, a member of the Future Teachers and Young Women Christian Association.

After Betty graduated from FAMU, she spent 31 years as an Educator in the Polk County Public Schools teaching at Oakland/Bethune Elementary, Combee Elementary, Lincoln Avenue Elementary, North Lakeland Elementary and Winston Elementary. Throughout the years of service, she received numerous awards of recognition.

After retirement, Betty continued to serve her community until her health being to fail by working with the Polk County Chapter of the FAMU Alumni Association, Lakeland Chapter of the NAACP (life member). She was a founding member of the Lakeland Organization of Verse Educators (L.O.V.E.), Lakeland Juneteenth Organization, the Lakeland Citizen Police Academy, and the Get the Vote Out.

She was preceded in transition to heaven by her parents; sisters: Helen S. Peterson, Tereather B. White; daughter-in-law: Cynthia Porter and God-daughter: Josephine Donaldson.

She leaves to cherish and continue her legacy: her daughters: Denai Porter Ardis (Reginald), Jeannine Porter Powell; bonus children: Pastor Felicia A. Sanders (John D.), Cyrsandra Scott (Ken), Michael Porter; brothers: Richard L. Smith, Jr., Horce Bobby King; grandchildren: Sameya Roundtree (Rev. Larry), Michael Kentrell Porter, Mikea Porter, Gregory D. Powell, II, (Khemara), Kanesha Brieger (Nick), AArica Ardis; great grandchildren: Maleah Sanders, Gregory D. Powell, III, Mykah Porter, Makenley Porter; godsons: Lamar Smith, Anthony White; devoted nephews: Eugene G. Peterson, Jr., Brian F. Peterson and a host of extended family and friends.

Ms. Porter, a retired educator of Lakeland, transitioned Saturday, February 10, 2024. A visitation will be held Saturday, February 17, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. with the Celebration of Life to follow. Interment will be held at Oak Hill Burial Park - 4620 US Highway 98 South, Lakeland, Florida 33810. All services will be held at Harmony Missionary Baptist Church - 1645 N. Webster Avenue, Lakeland, Florida 33805.

Interment : Oak Hill Burial Park