Franklin – Irvin Miles Porter, 92, was called home by his Lord and Savior as he passed away peacefully Friday, November 16, 2018 after a short hospitalization and brief stay at East Pavilion. Mr. Porter was a native of Southampton County and a resident of Franklin for 70 years. He was a son of the late Fenton A. Porter and Susie Miles Porter Davis Coleman. He was also predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Willie Lowe Porter, five brothers, Thomas H. Porter, Benjamin R. Porter, Leslie F. Porter, Sr., David Thomas Porter and Robert L. Davis and three sisters, Doris P. Kitchen, Frances P. Babb and Shirley P. Drake.

Mr. Porter attended Southampton County Public Schools and completed coursework with the National School of Forestry and Conservation, Wolf Springs Forest, Minong, WI.  A World War II Navy veteran, he served aboard the destroyer escort USS Lowe and the submarine chaser USS PC-1263 .  He was a long-time member of Franklin Baptist Church and the Bruner Bible Class. After a nearly twenty-year career in the Woodlands Division of Camp Manufacturing Company, Mr. Porter founded Porter's Wood Products, Inc. in 1966, guiding it to become a leading manufacturer of industrial wooden shipping pallets and skids. He was also highly respected as an outstanding timber appraiser and consulting forester, continuing to practice his craft well into his retirement years. A lifelong outdoorsman, Mr. Porter was recognized as an accomplished waterfowler and fisherman extraordinaire. His honesty, integrity and friendship were highly valued by all who knew him.

Left to cherish his memory are two sons, Max Barkley Porter (Barbette) of Courtland, and Clay Douglas Porter (Tammy) of Franklin, one brother, Raymond C. Davis, Sr. (Peggy) of Courtland, 5 grandchildren, Quinton McDowell Porter (Samantha Turner) of Capron, Calvert Miles Porter of Courtland, Jessica Ann Porter, Brynner Irvin Porter and Camden Lowe Porter of Franklin, one great-granddaughter, Riley Mackenzie Porter and a host of nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at 11 AM Monday, November 19th at Poplar Springs Cemetery with the Rev. Steve Bradshaw officiating. The family will receive friends Sunday, November 18th from 5 to 7:00 PM at the funeral home and suggests that memorial donations be made to the Franklin Habitat for Humanity or a favorite charity.

The family would like to thank Mr. Porter's caregivers: Angelia, Larisha, Pamela, Juanita, Vera, Gwen and the staffs at The Village at Woods Edge, the entire Southampton Memorial Hospital complex, and his doctors and nurses for their thoughtful care of our father as his health recently declined.  www.wrightfuneralhome.org.