Farewell To A Foot Soldier
This is what I consider another nail in the coffin of COGIC and it's future in the city of Memphis. The seeds planted by the Mason and Patterson families have finally been pruned away. Though he wasn't a family member he was still connected somewhat. Dating back to the organization's founder, Bishop C.H.Mason. As a young man Porter was his chauffeur.Bishop W.L. Porter was one of those foot soldiers tirelessly working with little fanfare while others gained national notoriety. Bishop W.L. Porter was one of the final limbs on the tree connecting the COGIC hierarchy to this city. His son Brandon is reaping the benefits of his faithfulness. He organized what has now become one of the largest congregations in this city. He has more to do with the convocation staying here all these years, than people really know. I have never heard any of his sermons so I don't know him as a rousing speaker, but I've always heard his name. He was to the COGIC, what Ralph Abernathy was to the SCLC.
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COGIC leader Bishop W.L. Porter dies
Monday, April 13, 2009
Willie Lee Porter came from very humble origins.
One of 12 children, he became the head of his family when his father died at the age of 43. But Mr. Porter strayed, joining a gang and selling drugs.
"He had heroin in his pocket. He was living that life, the fast lane, in his early 20s," said his son, Brandon Porter of Memphis.
Then W.L. Porter joined the Church of God in Christ, eventually founding his own church and rising to the rank of bishop.
Mr. Porter, a former member of COGIC's General Board and prelate of the group's Tennessee Central Jurisdiction, died Saturday of congestive heart failure. He was 83.
"He was the one who sought value and purpose. Family and all that brought him around. He loved his mom, and he wanted to please her," said Brandon Porter, who will succeed his father as prelate of the Tennessee Central Jurisdiction.
In 1972, Mr. Porter bought the former Seventh Street Baptist Church, founding what would become the Greater Community Temple.
In 1997, he told The Commercial Appeal that 45 people attended his first service, giving an offering of $17.43.
By the time he passed the pulpit to Brandon, the church had grown to nearly 400 members with one of the largest day-care operations in the area. It had also served as a satellite food stamp office, a satellite Memphis Light, Gas and Water office and an emergency food bank.
That was because of Mr. Porter's hard work, his family said.
"I never saw him where he looked like he was happy to take time to relax. He was always working on something," said his brother, David Porter. "I think that's where he found his relaxation, in doing something constructive."
Mr. Porter was also very active in the COGIC hierarchy, beginning in the 1950s when he chauffeured the group's founder, C.H. Mason.
In the 1960s, he worked with L.H. Ford as they planned the annual convocations in Memphis. He also worked with the late J. O. Patterson Sr. as they grew the convocation. In his later years, Mr. Porter helped with accommodations, publicity and fund-raising for the massive gathering.
During that time, he touched many lives, his son said.
"I was in London and a man stopped me and said, 'I know your father. I was in the United States and ran out of money and your father put me up in a hotel,'" Brandon said. "I've had so many people tell me how he impacted their life."
A public viewing will be held from 3-7 p.m. Wednesday at Unity Church of God in Christ in Jackson, Tenn. A service will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at Greater Community Temple, 5151 Winchester.
A celebration will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the Mason Temple, 930 Mason.
N. J. Ford and Sons has charge. Anyone wishing to contact the Porter family can do so in care of Mattie Flagg Porter, 1235 East Parkway South, Memphis, TN 38114.
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