Henrietta Inez Patrick Porter

Henrietta Inez Patrick was born on June 27, 1926 to Rev. Albert and Hattie Ratliff Patrick in Morven Township, North Carolina. She would proudly tell you that she was their “baby” because she was the last of their nine children: Leola Little, Allen Patrick, Levander Patrick, Lucy Diggs, Albert Patrick, Joshua Patrick, Hattie Meyers, and Lottie Toney. As a young girl, she attended Morven public schools. When she was a teenager, she met Tom Porter, Sr. whom she later married on July 28, 1946 and together they had seven children: Hattie, Henrietta, Delores Ann, Barbara, Tom Jr., Melvin and Sheldon. She also raised a spiritual daughter Rita Winslow. In 1952, the family moved from Cheraw, South Carolina to Columbus, Ohio where they joined the First African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. Henrietta loved First Church and faithfully served in various leadership roles until her recent illness. For nearly 49 years, she was a proud member of International Free Accepted Modern Masons and Order of Eastern Stars where she rose through the ranks and eventually led her chapter, Royal Star #14, as Worthy Matron. She also served as Grand Worthy Matron. She was a renowned cook and spent over 40 years working for local hotels and restaurants where she served as head cook. She retired from Gina’s restaurant in 1999. Henrietta loved to cook, entertain, dance, play cards, and spend time with family and friends. Even though she already had seven biological children, she helped raise many more. After a courageous battle to overcome the effects of a stroke and aneurysm, Henrietta went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, May 20, 2012. Preceded in death by parents Rev. Albert Hattie Ratliff Patrick, her eight siblings, husband Tom Porter, Sr., daughter Henrietta Porter, and son Melvin Porter, Sr. She is survived by children, Hattie Porter, Delores Ann (John) Porter-Patton, Barbara (Clarence) Holloway, Tom (Rhoda) Porter, Jr., Sheldon (Kim) Porter, and spiritual daughter Rita Winslow, all of Columbus, Ohio; brother-in-law Council (Doris) Porter of Cheraw, South Carolina; daughter-in-law Diane Porter; 18 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren, 6 great-great grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.