Evelyn Hazel Borel Porter

Evelyn Hazel Borel Porter, 76, passed away on February 24, 2024, in her home in Hemphill, Texas, surrounded by her family. She was born on November 3, 1947, to Louis Alcide and Hazel Borel.

Evelyn met the love of her life in kindergarten. According to her mother, Evelyn came home the first day of school and said she met the boy she was going to marry.  She did just that on August 4, 1967.  Evelyn and Paul Porter were happily married for 56 years.

Evelyn graduated from Stephen F Austin and worked as a legal secretary for the 9th Court of Appeals.  After having her three children, she worked as the secretary for First United Methodist Church of Winnie-Stowell where she also served as a Sunday School teacher and active member of the UMW.  She went back to school and graduated, summa cum laude, from Lamar University with an accounting degree. She worked at Edgar, Kiker and Cross accounting firm, and later moved on to the Jefferson County Auditor’s office where she retired in 2008.

Evelyn loved fun and laughter. She enjoyed playing games with her family and friends. She had a competitive streak, even in a “friendly” game of dominoes. Evelyn was known for her cooking, and Sunday dinner became a weekly event for the family to catch up and share stories, laughter, and sage advice.  She also enjoyed camping and traveling.  After retirement, Evelyn and Paul joined their closest friends on cross country road trips, eventually visiting 44 states and Canada.  Her most favorite thing was being Mimi, not only to her 8 grandkids, but to her “adopted” ones as well.

Evelyn was witty and funny, and she brought laughter, and sarcasm, everywhere she went. Her smile was infectious and would light up the room. Her legacy of loving will be carried on by all that she knew.

She is survived by her husband, Paul Porter; daughters,  Candace Abshier and her husband, Jeremy; Lynette Hensley and her husband, Kevin; grandchildren, Porter May and his wife, Delani; Keaton May; Reese Abshier; Mykailyn Harbison; Zachary Harbison and his wife, Victoria; Dustin Porter Jr.; great grandchildren, Kamdyn and Cedric Harbison; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents; son, Dustin Porter; siblings, Sherrie Hebert, Marjorie Laufenberg, Joseph Borel, Louis Borel Jr., Leon Borel and Glenn Borel.

A gathering of Mrs. Porter’s family and friends will be 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, February 29, 2024, at Broussard’s, 134 West Buccaneer Drive, Winnie. Her funeral service will begin at 10:00 a.m., Friday, March 1, 2024, at Broussard’s, with her interment to follow at Fairview Cemetery, Winnie.