Ellen Jewel Porter

Journey of a Faithful Servant

Ellen Jewel Garner was born November 14, 1949 in Houston, Texas to David Garner, Sr. and Mildred Clay Garner. A Houston native, she was raised in Third Ward, Texas where she attended Douglas Elementary, Ryan Junior High and Jack Yates Senior High School. Ellen excelled in Vocal Music and represented the school and community in various competitions receiving numerous awards and accolades. She began singing at a very early age with her childhood church, St. John Missionary Baptist Church. She participated in the children’s choir as well as the youth and young adult choirs. This was where she gave her life to Christ, was baptized and began her journey of service to The Lord.

 Ellen attended Texas Southern University and participated with the Women’s Glee Club and the Concert Choir under the direction of the famous Ruth Stewart and Ruthabell Rollins. It was her first year at Texas Southern, during Concert Choir rehearsal, where she met the love of her life, Rev. Ronnie Porter. The love of music brought them together and continued to be the common connection that has kept them glued together for all of these years.

 Ronnie and Ellen were married on March 25, 1969. They spent the last 53 years of their lives worshiping and giving praise to God. She sang with and was the Co-Founder of Ronnie Porter and The Angelics. She ministered and sang alongside her husband for years and together they recorded several albums and sang background vocals for a number of local artists, including the late Brenda Waters. She traveled abroad and across the country singing. One of her most rewarding ventures was when she sang for the inauguration of President Barack Obama.

 Ellen spent numerous years serving in many churches including Pleasant Grove, New Testament, Brentwood, Solid Rock, St. Luke, Bible Way and most recently, Friendship Community Bible Church  under the leadership of Pastor Bobby Hamilton. She was a faithful member of the SALT Senior Group, the Voices of Praise choir and the Life Group Ministry.  For over 30 years, Ellen was employed in the Oil and Gas industry and retired from Shell Oil Company in 2015. Although she worked full time, her passion, joy and heart belonged to The Houston Mass Choir. She became a member since 1972 where  where she met and developed many lifelong friendships and relationships. She was a faithful servant and held numerous leadership positions on the local and national levels. She traveled each and ever year to the Gospel Music Workshop of America and looked forward to this trip no matter what state it was held in.

 While she earned many awards and accolades for working, ministering and singing, Ellen’s greatest joy was being a parent to her four children - Craig, Shawnda, Eric and Angel. Her mother passed when she was a teenager, so she raised her sister, Beverly, from the age of three, as well as her daughter, Teia. Ellen simply adored her family and put no one before them and their needs. She was their biggest cheerleader and greatest supporter. She loved her children dearly, but when the grandchildren came along, the love she had developed into this “SUPERNATURAL” passion and unconditional love. It is truly unexplainable, but those who knew her understand this statement. She had a bond with each of them that was indescribable. They are ALL mourning her loss and were devastated to hear of her passing.

 On October 31, 2022, Ellen closed her eyes and entered into rest. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers (David Jr., Roy, Michael and Anthony Garner), sister (Gwendolyn Peacock), sister and brother in love (Malinda Manning and Larry Peacock, Sr.), her oldest granddaughter (Syntillia “Tilly” Mavins) and most recently, her grandson (Gregory Washington, Jr.). Left to honor her life and cherish her memory are her loving husband, Rev. Ronnie Porter; their four children, Craig, Shawnda, Eric and Angel; a very special son in love, Greg; a special sister, Beverly and a special niece, Teia.  Everyone who knew her knew that she simply adored her grandchildren, Carlos “CJ” (Ebony), Stormie (Lee Carlos), Eric Porter II, Jasymin, Ariel, Chelsea, Avonte’, Erykah, Joshua, DeBrashia, Nina, Craig Jr. “Bubba”, Bruce III “BB”, Blake, Kensley, Jade and Austin, who will forever cherish the time they had with their grandmother, affectionately know as “Granny Goo Goo”.  She adored her five great grandchildren – Yasayah, Zionn, Nala, Zamari and Alani, and could not wait to see them grow up and flourish. She also leaves to mourn her loss, her mother-in-love, Johnnie V. Bedford, one brother, Dwight Garner (Mary)and god-daughter, Ariel Cullins-Cephus; her sister and brothers-in-law, Georgia and Wiletta Garner, Carolyn, Vera (Marvin), Donna (John), Diane (Michael), Charlotte and Gilbert, her sister-cousin, Brenda McRuffin, her sisters from Shell (Glenda, Olga, Sonya, Cassandra, Andrea & Shari), and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, co-laborers in Christ and friends.

 

 

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Visitation
The Fort Bend Church
Saturday, November 12, 2022
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
1900 Eldridge Rd.Sugarland, Texas 77478
Mask are recommended

Celebration of Life
The Fort Bend Church
Saturday, November 12, 2022
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
1900 Eldridge Rd.Sugarland, TX 77478
Mask are recommended

Burial Service
Houston Memorial Gardens
Saturday, November 12, 2022
2626 Cullen Blvd.Pearland, Texas 77581

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