Virdie Mae (Bell) Porter

Virdie Mae [Bell] Porter was born to James and Ceola [Mullins] Bell on December 8, 1920, in St. Louis, MO. She was the oldest of three children: Alice and Jimmy (who died in infancy). She graduated from the exemplary Charles Sumner High School. Virdie was united in Holy Matrimony to Robert Porter, Sr. (her childhood friend) on December 14, 1941. To this union six wonderful children were born: Robert Jr., Valerie, Carol, Brenda, Roy, and Shirley. All the children were baptized and raised as followers of Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, three of her children (Roy, Robert, Jr., and Carol) proceeded Virdie in death. But Virdie died knowing she would embrace them soon in heaven. In Virdie’s Bell Family, two brothers married two sisters. And four daughters were born. These cousins were therefore more like sisters than cousins, with Virdie being the oldest, followed by Rodena, Cordelia and Alice. Each of the Bell Girls married and had offspring with their female children inheriting the Bell Girl name and community service legacy. Rodena and Joseph Strawbridge raised Joseph, Jr., Carol Sue and Michael, Cordelia and James Taylor raised Lee Kenneth and Mary Anita, Alice and Claude Henderson raised Claudia Rhen. Throughout their lives, the original Bell Girls remained close and were involved in each other’s lives. Virdie lived the longest of the original four and is now receiving hugs and kisses from all the others, in heaven. Virdie became an excellent homemaker and excelled in cooking, baking, and sewing. Additionally, she had a hand in nurturing and influencing the lives of all her nieces, nephews, and many other children. As little girls the Bell Girls were raised in the Christian church and as an adult Virdie put her religious training and child rearing skills to work at St. Luke Memorial where she was a Sunday and Vacation Bible School teacher for many years. She also helped organize the Christmas and Easter pageants, well before they used photocopiers and computers! At home, Virdie would rise early to read her Bible, listen to Rev. McGee on the radio and prepare her Sunday School lessons. Each morning, she did not allow her children to head out for school until they held hands and offered up a prayer. Virdie took her child rearing role very seriously, but she also enjoyed telling jokes (which she always goofed up), playing April Fool’s jokes and playing board games (which she most often won), baking treats for the holidays and making crafts for Christmas fairs. She was indeed an extraordinarily creative mother, teacher, and friend! In spite of her age-related blindness and poor hearing, Mrs. Porter continued her daily Bible Study up until 3 weeks before her death. At the age of 104, Virdie left this home for her Heavenly Home on Friday, June 6, 2025, at 2AM. Her husband Robert, Sr., proceeded her death on December 2, 2003. At her bedside were her beloved daughters Valerie and Brenda. She died peacefully in her sleep. Earlier that day, a vigil of local (next generations) Bell Girls rallied around to give her a royal send off! Virdie leaves to celebrate her Homegoing: her daughters Valerie, Brenda and Shirley (James); 8 grandchildren, Kelvin, Robin (Louis), Kathy (Terry), David, Jr. (Marjolean), Stephanie, Damon (Anne), Jamal (Kayla) and Khalilah; 11 great grandchildren Austin, James, Sara, Tyler, Camyrn, Aidan, Sterling, Montgomery, Nicholas, Braeden and Siobhan; and 1 great, great grandchild Dante and other relatives and devoted friends.

Virdie Mae (Bell) Porter

December 8, 1920 - June 6, 2025