Reverend Travis Porter
Reverend Travis Porter, 84, a resident of Cleveland, Tennessee, went to his Heavenly home on Thursday, September 29, 2022 surrounded by his family.
He was the son of the late Ed and Lovie Porter. His siblings, Dorothy McFadden, Norma Bryan, Billy Porter and Betty Poole also preceded him in death.
Travis met Wanda and they were married on Aug. 2, 1958 and they pastored in Texas until 1959. After which they moved to Cleveland and Travis attended Lee College (now Lee University) until 1962 graduating with a BA degree. After graduation they moved back to Texas and pastored until Travis became the Texas State Youth and Christian Education director from 1963-1964. From 1964 until 1974 they were the pastor of the Henrietta Texas Church of God and served on the Texas State Council during that time. He received his ordination from the Church of God in June of 1966 and in 1971 built a new church building in Henrietta, Texas.
He authored and published a book titled He Shall Direct Thy Paths which detailed the history of the Church of God in Texas. He served as the Texas State Youth and Christian Education director from 1974-1978. In 1976 he completed a M.ED at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, TX and then in 1978 became the pastor of the Hurst Church of God in Hurst, TX until 1980. From here the Porters became the state overseer of Nebraska from 1980-1984. From 1984-1989 he was the pastor of Mountain View Church of God in Dallas, TX, where they built a new church and helped the congregation purchase a new parsonage. In 1989 they moved to Georgia and became the pastor of West Ward Church of God in Douglas until 1996 during which he also served on the Georgia State Evangelism Board and the Georgia State Council. From 1994-1998 he served on the General Board of Benevolence for the Church of God and pastored the New Vision Church of God in Homerville, GA from 1996-2000. In 1999 the Porters built a retirement home in Cleveland, TN and retired in 2000. Reverend Porter became the senior adult pastor at North Cleveland Church of God 2004 where he remained.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Wanda Porter; two sons, Keith Porter and his wife Carrie, Brian Porter and his wife Heather; and four granddaughters, Calissa, Caelie, Audrey and Myra. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
A Remembrance and Celebration of Life Service will be conducted at noon on Monday, Oct. 3, at North Cleveland Church of God Dixon Center with Dr. Tim Hill and Dr. Mark Williams officiating. Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens with Dan Bowles, Bobby Scott, Roland Sharp, Don Stovall, Mark Streun and Harold Woods Serving as pallbearers.
The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service from 11 a.m. until 12 p.m.
Jim Rush Funeral and Cremation Services North Ocoee Chapel is in Charge of the arrangements.