Mrs. Jacqueline Porterfield

Jacqueline Mae Porterfield went home to be with her Lord and Saviour on Wednesday, December 6, 2017, at Healthsource Saginaw, at the blessed age of 80 years. She was born January 18, 1937 in Alabama to Hardee Summerfield and Tommy Mae Ponder. She was raised by her aunt and uncle, Johnny Mae and Judge Walters, in Jefferson County, Alabama. Jackie’s older sister, Helen Hughey, introduced her to Leonard, the love of her life. They were united in marriage in Saginaw, Michigan on June 23, 1962, by now Pastor Emeritus, Reverend Dr. Roosevelt Austin. They remained true to their vows for 55 years. Mrs. Porterfield was a graduate of Alabama State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in English, Library Science & Social Sciences in 1959. She later received a Master of Arts degree in Education, an Education Specialist credential in Curriculum and Instruction, and completed coursework to become a Reading Specialist, all at the University of Michigan. Mrs. Porterfield was an Educator and Librarian. Before moving to Saginaw, she was a Librarian at Ulman High School in Birmingham, Alabama. This was special to her because she graduated from Ulman in 1955. She was an elementary, junior high and high school teacher in Saginaw Public Schools where she taught 32 years. Tradition holds that Mrs. Porterfield was actually the very first Black Librarian for Saginaw Public Schools. She was a Librarian and Reading Improvement teacher at Arthur Eddy Jr. High and Arthur Hill High School. Mrs. Porterfield was also a Reading Improvement Teacher at Delta College and the Wolverine Baptist Theological Seminary, Historian for Wolverine Baptist State Convention, and was an instructor in the National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Incorporated. Mrs. Porterfield authored a book for reading teachers entitled Over 500 Teaching Strategies for Reading Improvement. She sold many of these books to teachers at teacher conferences. Mrs. Porterfield was devoted to children and dedicated her life to teaching. She did not have biological children of her own but received so much pleasure working with children in the community. She was also affectionately referred to as “Aunt Jackie” by many who knew and loved her. Mrs. Porterfield was a faithful member of Zion Missionary Baptist Church many years under the leadership of Pastor Emeritus Reverend Dr. Roosevelt Austin; 16 years under Pastor Rodrick A. Smith. At Zion, Mrs. Porterfield served many years as the Program Coordinator. She had her very own closet full of decorations in every color at the church where she would decorate for all of their special events. Mrs. Porterfield also served with the Caring Hands “culinary” Ministry at Zion as long as she was able to serve. On Saturdays, it was a joy for her to decorate and assist with feeding those who were less fortunate with a hot meal. Mrs. Porterfield was initiated into the Beta Pi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated at Alabama State University in 1957. She is a charter member of Eta Upsilon Omega Chapter (1962) and served as their fourth president during 1965-1966. Her interest in ensuring young ladies understood and practiced good etiquette resulted in her initiating a Charm School service program in the sorority. She enjoyed being a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, spending time with her sorority sisters conducting community service activities, strengthening the bonds of sisterhood and socializing together. She loved to wear her colors, pink and green. Mrs. Porterfield also loved traveling and going fishing. Her all-time favorite thing to do was spend time with “Lenny” in Idlewild, Michigan. She also traveled multiple times to Africa (Nigeria and Kenya) with American students. Mrs. Porterfield leaves to cherish her memory her loving and devoted husband, Leonard Porterfield; godson, Mark (Betrice) Christmas and family; brother-in-law, Harry (Marianita) Porterfield; nieces and nephews, Eric (Tina) Shropshire, Gina Shropshire, J.J. Porterfield, Allison Porterfield, LaVann Hughey, James Hughey, Aurscant Hughey, Jr. “Chico”, Dawn Ann Hughey; cousins, Richard Porterfield, Pam Cook and Irma Cheatham; many other relatives and friends including Pastor Emeritus Reverend Dr. Roosevelt (Dr. Nurame) Austin and family, Pastor Rodrick (Irma) Smith and the Zion Missionary Baptist Church family, and sorors of Eta Upsilon Omega Chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Mrs. Porterfield was preceded in death by her parents, Hardee Summerfield and Tommy Mae Ponder; aunt and uncle, Johnnie Mae and Judge Walters, sister and brother-in-law, Helen and Aurscant Hughey, Sr.; niece, Dawnae Hughey, mother-and father-in-law, Harry Sr. and Viola Porterfield. Funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 14, 2017 at Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 721 Johnson Street. Pastor Rodrick Smith will officiate. Interment will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery 3210 South Washington Avenue. Friends may call at the Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 N. Jefferson Ave. on Wednesday from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m. AKA will be having a tribute at 6:00 p.m.

Mrs. Jacqueline Porterfield

January 18, 1937 - December 6, 2017