Anne Hughes Porter

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Anne Hughes Porter, who was a true jewel of Attala County and a cherished friend and teacher to many. Her devotion to God, family, and country influenced countless lives, leaving a legacy of faith, patriotism, education, and goodwill that will never be forgotten.

Anne Marie Hughes Porter, 91, of Kosciusko, passed away on September 10, 2024, at her home.

Visitation will be at Jordan Funeral Home Monday, September 23 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. and on Tuesday, September 24 from 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.

Services will be held on Tuesday, September 24, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Kosciusko with burial in Parkway Cemetery. 

Mrs. Porter was the daughter of James Smith Hughes and Grace Eleanor Simmons Hughes, both from pioneer families of Attala County. She was born on September 6, 1933, in Kosciusko and grew up in Sallis. She was a graduate of Sallis High School, Holmes Junior College, and Delta State Teachers College, and a member of Kappa Delta Pi, with graduate hours from Delta State University and Mississippi State University. She taught at Monticello, Indianola, and Kosciusko High Schools.

While living in Monticello, she was an active member of Monticello Baptist Church and a charter member and officer of the Twentieth Century Club. In Indianola, she was a Sunday School teacher and pianist for the Junior Choir at the First Baptist Church, an officer of the Cosmopolitan Club, and served on the Delta District YWCA Board.

The Porters moved to Kosciusko in 1970. At First Baptist Church Kosciusko, she served as Sunday School Teacher, Department Director, Circle Chairman, and served on the Budget and Finance Committee as well as the Personnel Committee. In 1993, Mrs. Porter was named the first Church Historian and chairman of the History Committee for the Sesquicentennial Anniversary of the church. In 1998, Mrs. Porter was instrumental in publishing the 697-page tome, THE HISTORY OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, KOSCIUSKO, MISSISSIPPI 1848-1998, and an update in 2008.

Mrs. Porter is the author of the book, A PLACE CALLED SALLIS, and a slide and script on THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCHES IN KOSCIUSKO. She was a member of the Mississippi Genealogical Society and was a board member of the Mississippi Historical Society from 1996-1999. She served as president of the Twenty-First Century Club of Kosciusko and as president of the Mashulitubbee Chapter of Colonial Dames 17th Century and served as a state chairman.

Earlier this year, Mrs. Porter was honored for 50 years of service to the Daughters of the American Revolution. As a devoted DAR member, she served as Chapter Regent and Hills District Director. She served for nine years on the MSSDAR State Board of Management, six years on the Rosalie Board, and held several state chairmanships. As DAR Centennial History Chairman, she authored THE HISTORY OF THE MISSISSIPPI STATE SOCIETY DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 1896-1996. She was organizing president of the Cameo Society, MSSDAR in 2000. In 2019, Mrs. Porter was named MSSDAR Daughter of the Year.

In 1991, Mrs. Porter received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Delta State University for Outstanding Community Service and Leadership.

She served as one of the nine members of the Historical Commission of the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board In 1995-2001 and 2010-2013.

In December 1995, she was named “Outstanding Citizen of Kosciusko-Attala County” at the Chamber of Commerce Banquet and, in the same month, named “Woman of the Year” for Central Mississippi by the readership of the STAR HERALD.

She was a board member of the Kosciusko Foundation for Excellence in Education and a member of Nu Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma.

In 2014, she was named Queen of the Junior Auxiliary Charity Ball.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Smith and Grace Hughes, her brother, James Hughes, and her husband of 48 years, Parks Cadman Porter.

Survivors are daughter, Sheila Anne Porter Howell (Kerry) of Carthage; son, Glenn Hughes Porter (Tammie) of Kosciusko; grandchildren, Laura Anne Howell McQueen (Jason) of Madison; Emily Porter Howell Stringer (Reed) of Hattiesburg, Andrew Kerry Howell (Brittan) of Columbus, Allison JoAnne Porter Rogers (Chancy) of Starkville, Ethan Parks Porter (Katelyn) of Kosciusko, and Caleb Cain of Kosciusko. Great-grands, Anne Parks McQueen, Eleanor Rose McQueen, Cadman Michael McQueen, Stephen Smith Stringer, Andrew Banks Stringer, John Reed Stringer, Hughes Henry Howell, Brooks Walker Howell, Millie Diana Howell, Otis Mack Howell, Kaleb Gabriel “Gabe” Cain, JamesMichael Cain, Abel Ray Cain, Layla Ann Rogers, Nolan Chancy Rogers, Bennett Riggs Johnson and Garrett Parks Porter.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank You” to Louria Hawthorne for her love and dedication as caregiver over the past several years.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to First Baptist Church Kosciusko https://fbckosciusko.com/ or the Mary Ricks Thornton Cultural Center.