Ocie Porterfield

LTributes oving

“We Will Miss You Dad”

I MISS MY DAD

Although I cannot see you

Feel your hugs or kiss your face

I’ll imagine you’re beside me

An unseen presence I will embrace

The night before you left us

Asleep no words were spoken

A gentle kiss placed on your head

Heavens gates stood halfway open

Reflections of that morning

Before dawn you slipped away

Still replay through my daily thoughts

I will never forget that day

Cannot begin to tell you

Just what that has meant to me

The painful process of letting you go

The hole in our family tree

I miss your hugs, miss your voice

Your genuine “I love you”

The simple spring lost in your step

The illness got to that too

I don’t wallow much in sorrow

You wouldn’t have wanted that for me

Your wish to remain the strong one

Is the one you said I would be

And though some days it’s difficult

I still want to call on you Dad

Your swift untimely departure

Makes me reflect on just what I had

Love, Rita

Letting Go

The angels gathered near your side

So very close to you

For they knew the pain and suffering

That you were going through I thought about so many things

As I held tightly to your hand

Oh, how I wished that you were strong And happy once again.

But your eyes were looking homeward

To that place beyond the sky

Where Jesus held His outstretched arms

It was time to say good-bye

I struggled with my selfish thoughts For I wanted you to stay

So we could walk and talk again Like we did...just yesterday

But Jesus knew the answer And I knew you loved Him so

So I gave to you life’s greates gift

The gift of letting go

Love, Regina

Gone Too Soon

Words cannot describe the loss I feel Saying farewell to you, But heaven chose to give you wings And now it’s time you flew.

I wish that we could have more time, That God had let you stay, Forever would not be long enough But I would take one day.

I wish I had just one more chance

To see that tender smile, To laugh with you again my dear Just for a little while.

Gone too soon, but not forgotten, Forever you will remain, My guiding light, my shining star, Until I see your face again.

Love, Valarie

Life’s Reflections

Ocie Porterfield was born September 27, 1935 to the late parents of Hayes Porterfield and Mattie Smith in Millington, Tennessee. He was the second oldest child of twelve siblings.

Ocie was loved and amired by so many. Everyone loved him for his huge personality. Anytime he entered the room, everyone knew they were in for a good time. Ocie didn’t mind speaking his mind and would let you know exactly how he felt.

Ocie worked as a funeral director for Mid-South Funeral Home for many years. It was there where he met the love his life, “The late Sallie Mary Porterfield”, whom proceded him in death. They married in 1965 and to their union, four children were born. Ocie also had an older daughter whom he loved from a previous relationship.

Monday, August 20, 2023, God saw fit call Ocie home.

Ocie’s legacy will continue through this five children, Michael Nash, Valarie Porterfield Waren (Derrick), Rita Garth Porterfield, Regina Porterfield, and Krissy Porterfield; two sisters, Helen Louise Ross and Annie Kirkwood, fourteen grandchildren; Kenya, Megan, Arnieca, Lil Steve, Cordarious, Michael, Jr., Tyrell, Timmesha, Morgan, Josuha (Keiarra), Carla, Tam, Keta and Tony, twenty eight great grandchildren. Everyone knows he had a soft spot for his “Baby Cakes”, Carla.

Ocie leaves a host of other realtives and friends whom will miss him dearly. Ocie took on a father role for his niece, Jennifer “JJ” after the lost of her dad, James.

Ocie was preceded in death by his oldest daughter, Evelyn Buckingham and his siblings; James, Jimmy, Eddie, Willie, Lewis, Hattie Mae, Lucy Kay and Florine.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Psalms 23

Order of Celebration

Sarurday, September 2, 2023 11:00 A.M.

Faith Covenant Church

4815 Willow Road • Memphis, Tennessee 38117

Pastor Christopher Williams, Senior Pastor

Processional

Scripture Readings: The Old Testament...........................................................................................Reverend Ray Martin The New Testament......................................................................................................Jamiah Caise

Prayer of Comfort.......................................................................................................Reverend Ray Martin

Musical Selection......................................................................................................Jo Lynn Diggs Massey

Words of Comfort....................................................................................................................Jamiah Caise

Reflections of Love

(Respectfully, Three Minutes Please)

Letter from Son - Michael Nash, Jr. Family & Friends

Musical Selection......................................................................................................Jo Lynn Diggs Massey

Video Tribute

Acknowledgements....................................................................................................................Jackie Brunt

Musical Selection.............................................................................................Pastor Christopher Williams

Eulogy..............................................................................................................Pastor Christopher Williams

Committal

Recessional

Remains will not be viewed after Eulogy

~ Acknowledgements ~

When our loads seemed hard to bear, we looked around, and our family and friends were there. Your prayers strengthened us; your support comforted us.

The family of Ocie Porterfield gratefully acknowledges your acts of kindness, whatever the part. Thank you for your calls, texts, visits, monetary gifts, food, and prayers during this most difficult time.

Special thanks to Pastor Christopher Williams and the Faith Covenant Church, Jo Lynn Diggs Massey, Lavadius Fason and Jamiah Chase, minister in music.

Thank you, Harrison’s Memorial Chapel, Inc. Although we suffered a tremendous loss, the staff at Harrison’s eased our pain and lightened our load while planning our beloved father’s celebration of life.

The Family

~ Honorary Pallbearers ~

Terry Cunningham

James Porterfield, Jr.

Aaron Porterfield

Duan Cunningham

Steve Porterfield

Earl Aaron Cunningham

~ Active Pallbearers ~

Steven Garth, Jr.

Cordarius McGuire

Tyrell Wallace

Renard Beaver Jousha Garth

Michael Nash, Jr.

Fred Dorsett