Funeral services for Mable Lee Gates-Porter, 57, of Little Rock and formerly of Helena-West Helena, will be held 11 a.m. today at the New Haven M.B. Church 404 West Street in Helena-West Helena with Rev. Charles Gates officiating. Burial will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery No. 3 in Helena-West Helena.
Porter was born Aug. 2, 1951 to J.B. and Mable Gates of West Helena. She was called from this life to be with our Lord on Tuesday, June 23, 2009.
Porter confessed a hope in Christ and was baptized at a very early age. She was a faithful member of Freedonia M.B. Church of Helena. She sang in the choir and participated in other various youth events and activities.
Later in life, she relocated to Little Rock, and joined St. John M.B. Church under the leadership of Rev. C. Dennis Edwards. In Mable’s earlier years at St. John, she sang in the choir and served on the usher board. She remained a faithful member until her health failed in September 2008.
Mable was a 1970 graduate of Barton High School and a 1976 graduate of Droughn Business College of Little Rock.
She was also the founder and director of Baby Bear Daycare Preschools I and II.
Her father, J.B. Gates, preceded her in death.
She leaves to cherish her memory, her mother, Mable Gates of Helena-West Helena; two sons, Carl Porter Jr. (Cynethia) and Micheal Porter of Little Rock; a daughter, Karlisha Porter of Little Rock; six brothers, John Gates (Carolyn) Nashville, Tenn., Carl Gates (Barbara), Charles Gates (Francis) of Kenosha, Wis., Levon Gates of Helena-West Helena, Sammy Gates of DeSoto, Texas and Arthur Gates (Wendy) of Duncanville, Texas; four sisters; Mary Wilborn (E.C.) of Little Rock, Kathy Jones of Cedar Hill, Texas, Jurlene Parker(James) of Marion and Gloria Cole (Kenneth) of Grand Prairie, Texas; four grandchildren; Brittney Jackson, McKayla Porter, Mallory Porter and Meagh Porter, all of Little Rock; a brother-in-law, Charles Jones of Helena-West Helena; 3 aunts, 8 uncles, a great uncle and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Special thanks go to Annie Goldsberry and Mary Jennings of Little Rock.
Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.brownshomeforfuneralsinc.com
Brown’s Home for Funerals, Inc. will direct the services.