BIOGRAPHY

Porter was born in Mississippi, USA, on 19 May 1912, to parents Rev. James Simonia French (1888–1974) and Glennie E. French (1891–1964). She had at least one younger brother, Amos Edward French (1915–1984).

At some point, she married Willie F. Porter (1910–1981). She had children.

On 15 August 2022, she was visited by The Mayor of West Memphis, Marco McClendon, who declared 15 August as “Mrs. Leola Porter Day.”

Porter passed away in West Memphis, Arkansas, USA, on 18 July 2023, at the age of 111 years, 60 days.

RECOGNITION

At the time of her passing, she was the oldest (known) living person in the U.S. state of Arkansas.

Her age was validated by LongeviQuest on 2 February 2024.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Leola Porter lives in West Memphis, Arkansas. She has lived through two pandemics and celebrates 109 years today.” – Twitter, 19 May 2021

* “Today Mayor McClendon had the honor and privilege of meeting West Memphis’s oldest living resident.” – City of West Memphis (Facebook), 15 August 2022

* “West Memphis loses longest-lived citizen” – The Evening Times, 26 July 2023

* “LEOLA PORTER, 111, of West Memphis” – Anthony Funeral Home

* Leola Alma French Porter – Find A Grave

GALLERY