Wilhelmina Fuller Porter, aged 92, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 13, 2012, at Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland. Just as she determinedly faced all of life’s challenges, Mrs. Porter stood toe to toe with Alzheimer’s. A Vicksburg native, Mrs. Porter lived the last four years of her life with her only child, Charles R. Porter, Jr.; daughter-in-law, Mary Burnet Porter; and grandson, Taylor Porter, at their home in Terry.

Wilhelmina was the daughter of Rhea A. Fuller and Frances S. Fuller. Mr. Fuller was the last riverboat captain for the paddle wheeler Sprague, a longtime Vicksburg landmark.

Wilhelmina was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Frances Love; her husband, Charles R. Porter Sr.; and a nephew, Preston Fuller.

She is also survived by her grandson, Trey Porter (Kim); her granddaughter, Mae Smith-Lyon (Joey); three great-granddaughters, Madeleine Porter, Claire Porter and Emilia Smith-Lyon: sister, Daisy Keeton of Richmond, Ky.; brothers, Rhea Fuller Jr., William Fuller (Ann) and Leonard Fuller (Joanne), all of Vicksburg, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Born on March 3, 1920, Wilhelmina was “born into” Crawford Street United Methodist Church in Vicksburg where she remained a lifelong member. An active participant in the Methodist church, she taught Sunday school for many years; she was a trustee for the Vicksburg/West Jackson District UMC and represented it as an equalization delegate at the annual conference four times. She was an active member of the United Methodist Women and its predecessor organization, WSCS, for more than 50 years. She served nine years on the district mission team and four years as its president.

In 1996, she taught one of the studies at the Conference School of Christian Mission. Through the Methodist Church Mission, she served as a teacher of English at Fujien Hwa Nan Women’s College in Fuzhou, China, in 1997 and 1998. After being involved as a volunteer in many organizations affiliated with her son’s school activities, Wilhelmina became convinced that a lifetime of living was enriched by a lifetime of learning, so she returned to school and eventually earned her Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education K-8 at Jackson State University. She was elected to Phi Kappa Phi and Alpha Kappa Mu.

At the age of 58, she became the oldest first-year teacher ever hired by the Warren County school district. Her teaching career lasted 11 years, two past the age of retirement. During her 11 years of educating children, she devoted three years to disabled children and eight years to the gifted program. She taught one summer in the gifted program at the University of Southern Mississippi, where she received a scholarship to attend the Mississippi Economic Council’s Summer Institute for Teachers. After receiving the scholarship two additional years, she was asked to assist with the Institute. She performed this task for more than 10 years, developing teaching materials, which the MEC made available to classroom teachers.

One of the many activities Wilhelmina devoted her energies to was the Extension Homemaker Club. She held the office of president, district junior and senior director, treasurer and president of the state council, Southern region director and secretary of the national council. She was named “Outstanding Woman” by the county council and received a five-diamond pin, the highest award of the state council. She represented the state and national councils and the National Master Farm Homemakers at three conferences of ACWW, an international organization of women’s groups, at Edinburgh Scotland; Dublin, Ireland; and East Lansing, Mich. While serving as safety chairman, her local club won two national safety awards for safe schools for children. She was guest speaker at a session of the women’s division at an annual meeting of the National Safety Council in Chicago. She attended eight national safety seminars at the University of Georgia and Michigan State University.

Another love of Wilhelmina’s was flowers and their beauty. She was a longtime member of the Evergreen Garden Club of Vicksburg, where she served in every office. In 1996, she was awarded an honorary life membership in The Garden Clubs of Mississippi. She was also classified as a Master Gardener by the Warren County Extension Service and eventually became an accredited flower show judge and invited to judge numerous shows across the South.

Wilhelmina’s active life included being named The Progressive Farmer magazine’s” 1962 Woman of the Year” for her service to rural women. She was also one of the first women to be accepted into the Lions Club of Vicksburg, where she served three terms as secretary. She also received a pin from Lions International for her contribution to sight conservation.

Wilhelmina’s contributions to service did not end there. In 1968, she became executive director of the Vicksburg area chapter of the American Red Cross. During her five years, the chapter received a commendation on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives by the Hon. Thad Cochran for the chapter’s work during the 1973 floods.

Wilhelmina also threw her hat into the political arena in Warren County. She served more than 10 years as secretary of the Warren County Democratic Executive Committee, working closely with Gov. William Winter in his bids for governor. She was also a delegate to county, district and state conventions.

Wilhelmina lived her 92 years to the fullest, and she could not have done that without the help of many. The family would like to thank the tireless workers at Sta-Home Health Care, especially Rita and Brenda; Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland; and her caretaker, Linda Coley and husband Robert.

A memorial service will be held to honor Wilhelmina’s life on Tuesday, July 31, at Crawford Street United Methodist Church, Vicksburg. Visitation will be from 9 until 11 a.m. and the service will be at 11. Riles Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.