Mary Porter, formerly known as Mary Ethel Brisco, was born on November 22, 1928 to parents, Burrell Brisco and Aldessie Kirven. The oldest of three girls, Mary was always compassionate and strong-willed. She received her formal education in Coolidge, Texas (Limestone County) before relocating to Terrell, Texas.

Shortly after relocating to Terrell, Mary E. Brisco would meet Howard Porter whom she married on January 8, 1947. After gaining two blessings in their beautiful daughters, Tommie and Gloria, the Porters would move and build a beautiful home in Dallas, Texas. Mary and Howard were married for 52 years until his passing in 1998.

Mary Porter was known for her kind heart, big smile, contagious laugh, and undying love for children which led her to start and operate her own daycare nursery for several years. Later she would work for Ling Temco Vought (LTV) where her late husband also worked for 34 years. After retirement from LTV, she worked for Dallas Independent School District as a crossing guard for a few years to keep busy. Mary Porter was always on the move.

She is preceded in death by her husband Howard Porter, father Burrell Brisco and mother Aldessie Smith.

She leaves to cherish her memories her two daughters and son-in-law: Tommie Johnson, Gloria and Clifton McGee; four grandchildren: Bridgida McGaughy, Derrick McGaughy, Tracy Long, and Sharonda Lyons; nine great grandchildren: Lavorya McGaughy, Christine McGaughy, Rodney McGaughy, Terry McGaughy, Undreaus Thibodeaux, Lorenzo Thibodeaux, Nykendria Shamlin, Tommie Anderson and Alexander Lyons, and 32 great great-grandchildren.

She also leaves to cherish her memory her two beautiful sisters: Florence Armstrong (Isaac) and Marie Johnson; two nieces Cassandra Freeny and Karen Stiggers; eight nephews: David Richardson, Terrance Freeny (Tanya), Jerry Freeny (Tracy), Willie Freeny, Mario Armstrong, Devron Armstrong, Anthony Stiggers (Susan), Bernard Stiggers (Sonya), Jesse Johnson (Courtney) and Glen Johnson (Sonya); two very special aunts: Laura Whitehead and Gussie Freeny and their children; one special great niece: Carolyn Spencer and her children, and a host of other relatives and friends.