Mary Porterfield

Mrs. Mary W. Porterfield, age 83, of Gulfport, passed away on Friday, May 11, 2012, in Gulfport.
Mrs. Porterfield was a lifelong resident of Gulfport and she met her ""one true love"" and husband of 39 years, James ""Jim"" Porterfield while working as a bookkeeper at the former Edgewater Hotel in Biloxi. Following his retirement from MS Power, they spent much of their free time traveling around the country, often with their children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed reading and studying scripture and was a member of Bayou View Baptist Church. She had a deep compassion and love for animals and she nurtured many young adults throughout her lifetime.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James ""Jim"" Porterfield, a daughter, Ellen Lee Porterfield, her parents, Henry and Maude Webb, and a brother, Tom Webb.
Survivors include her 2 children, Rhonda (Paul) Swink, and Linda (Hilton) Higginbotham, 8 grandchildren, Amy Higginbotham, Mary Kay Higginbotham, Michelle (Sam) Emmons, Noelle Blackmon, John (Michelle) Blackmon, Jr., Jamie Ellen Blackmon, Suzanne Swink, and Johnny Swink, 4 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
Visitation will be Tuesday, May 15, 2012, from 12 - 2 pm at the RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 11280 Three Rivers Road, Gulfport. The funeral service will be at 2 pm in the funeral home chapel.
Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery.
Memorials may be sent to The HSSM, 2615 Hwy 49, Gulfport, MS 39501, or the Alzheimer's Foundation of South MS, 14175 S. Country Hills Dr., Gulfport, MS 39503.
Tributes may be offered at www.riemannfamily.com