Leanna Porter

Leanna Marie Porter, 82, of Nederland, peacefully departed this life on September 7, 2021, surrounded by loved ones at the Harbor Hospice of Beaumont. Born on October 28, 1938, in Lincoln, Nebraska, to June Elenor Dodson Anker and Theodore Christian Anker, Jr., the oldest of the four children.

In 1957, she married the late Robert “Bob” Erickson, and they had five children; Susan, Lori, Eric, Mike and Steven. They remained married for 31 years. During that time, Leanna was a busy full-time mother and was very active in the PTA; serving as Helena Park Elementary VP in 1975-76 and continued to the C.O. Wilson Middle School PTA President from 1977 to 1982. During the 1982 school year, she accepted a position at the school as a teacher’s aide and eventually became the secretary in the counselors’ office, where she remained until January of 2016. She proudly retired as the oldest Nederland ISD employee at that time. She was caring, full of laughter and accepting; and treated everyone, even the newest acquaintance, with the respect and affection of a good friend. She had a great zest for life and was truly fun to be with. Leanna loved her children,

grandchildren and great-grandchildren but she absolutely adored her sons-in-law and daughters in-law. She loved and accepted each family member completely for who they were. Throughout the years, Leanna had many hobbies, but is best known for her beautiful stained-glass artwork, her famous chocolate chip cookies and cinnamon rolls. Later in life, Leanna was fortunate to find her second love, the late Mahlon “Jimmy” Porter. They both enjoyed boating and fishing and were able to spend many wonderful years of marriage together until Jimmy’s death in 2013. She enjoyed spending time with her loved ones and had a knack for making each one of them feel special. All 17 of her grandchildren and great-children felt as if they were her favorite… and they all were.

Survivors include her children, Susan Tibbetts and husband, Scott, of Kingwood; Eric Erickson, of Nederland; Mike Erickson and wife, Lisa, of Seabrook; and Steven Erickson and wife, Kristina, of Kingwood; stepchildren, Jennifer Allen and husband, Bobby and Jaime Porter, of Port Neches; son-in-law, Jack Lyman, of Cheyenne, Wyoming;  grandchildren, Tiffany Knight and husband, Briggs; Marc Tibbetts, both of Houston;  Tyler Erickson;  Cailey Erickson; Cody Erickson, of Nederland;  Chase Erickson and wife, Macy, of Texas City; and Brooke Erickson, of Austin;  Bryce Erickson; Brody Erickson; Bree Erickson, all of Kingwood;  Landon Erickson, of Atascocita;  Malone Munford, of Phoenix, Arizona;  Mason Munford, of Wheatland, Wyoming; and Blaine Lyman, of Cheyenne, Wyoming;  step-grandchildren, Raysalyn, Kayleigh, and Dregan Allen and Jaymesan Porter; great-grandchildren, Olivia Scholin, Elliott Knight, and Parker Erickson; sister, Karin Givens; brother, Maurice Anker and wife, Susie;  nieces, Tracy Maynock and husband, Steve, all of Lincoln, Nebraska;  Kristin Hill and Jennifer Carlson and husband, Paul; and nephews, Michael Anker and wife, Lindsay and Timothy Anker; and she will be especially missed by her faithful companion and dog Izzy.

She was preceded in death by her parents, June and Theodore Anker, Jr.; brother, Theodore “Teddy” Anker, III; husband, Mahlon “Jimmy” Porter; daughter, Lori Lyman.

The family would like to express gratitude for the wonderful care Leanna received while at Harbor Hospice. They would also like to thank all of those who helped her through her journey over the last few years; the physicians, nurses, social workers, friends, and her minister, Dr. Douglas Caldwell.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wesley United Methodist Church, 3515 Helena Avenue, Nederland, Texas, 77627. (409) 722-7065.

A gathering of Mrs. Porter’s family and friends will begin at 12:00 p.m., with her funeral service at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 15, 2021, at Broussard’s, 505 North 12^th Street, Nederland. Her interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.

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