Mary Brewin Porter

Mary Elizabeth Brewin Porter, affectionately known as “Bette”, age 93, died peacefully in Lake City, FL on May 16, 2023. Mary grew up in Atlanta, but treasured summers spent in and around Savannah, where both sets of her grandparents lived. Some of her fondest memories were of time spent swimming, crabbing, and fishing in the Herb River there with her brother, whom she called Bo.

Mary graduated from Savannah High School and attended college at Stetson University where she majored in math. Ever the adventurer, she accepted teaching positions at Air Force bases in Libya and Turkey. She eventually returned to Atlanta to teach math at Dykes High School. She then went to work at the State Board of Workers Compensation as chief statistician and remained there until her retirement.

Mary loved to dance and to travel and had a good sense of humor. As she grew weaker near the end of her long life, she told her family that she wasn’t afraid to die: “I’ll just consider it another adventure. I’ll enjoy traveling around the universe.”

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 51 years, William Carithers Porter; her parents, Robert Ralston Brewin and Mary Thompson Brewin; and her brother, Robert R. Brewin, Jr. She is survived by two nephews, Robert R. Brewin, III, and his wife, Jeni Brewin, of Lake City, FL, and Thomas Harry Brewin of Lakeland, FL; three great-nephews, Robert R. Brewin, IV (Holly), David T. Brewin, and Christopher Brewin; and a cousin, Kathleen Brewin Lewis (Jeff). The family would like to thank the staff at The Canopy at Harper Lake for their kind and excellent care of Mary.

A graveside service will be conducted at Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah, GA on Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at 9:30 A.M. Interment will follow. Anyone that would like to make a donation, please do so to the charity of your choice.

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