Jeanette (Porter) Williams

MARTHA JEANETTE (PORTER) WILLIAMS, of Thorsby, passed away on May 12, 2025 surrounded by her family, including her husband of more than 50 years, Neil. She is now in the presence of her Lord and Saviour. She was born in Chilton County on February 6, 1956; the daughter of the late Floyd Porter and the late Bernice Porter Burnette.

As an adult Jeanette enrolled at Auburn University at Montgomery, desiring to be the first in her family to graduate from college. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in education and started her teaching career in Montgomery at Chisholm Elementary. She later transitioned to Verbena High School where she taught the 5th grade and was able to be closer to home, and eventually to Thorsby High School. During her teaching career, she obtained many close and cherished friendships with others she taught alongside, including Nicole Fuller and Amy Barnett, spanning her teaching career of 20 years.

Jeanette had a love for reading, and she would select one of her favorites, “Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See” as a gift to young parents to share with their little ones. Being a very giving person, Jeanette would often purchase or make items for friends and family. It could be anything that she thought they might like or need. Knowing it would make them happy, she named these surprises “Happys”.

She is survived by: Husband, Neil Williams; Son, Daron (Karen) Williams; Granddaughter, Mary Leigh Williams; Sister, Faye (Elton) Horton; Sister, Charlotte Bryant; Brother-in-Laws, Jimmy Smith and Mike (Sharon) Williams; Sister-in-Law, Pam Smith; a host of nieces and nephews; two precious nieces, Christy Higgins and Tonya (Kevin) Ray; and a close circle of friends including Lisa Hayes and Beverly (Mark) Hamm. 

She is preceded in death by: Father, Floyd Porter; Mother, Bernice Porter Burnette; Sister, Donna Smith; and In-Laws, Noah and Mary Williams.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 11:00am from Pates Chapel Baptist Church with Rev. Gary Jones officiating.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.

Burial will follow in the Pates Chapel Baptist Cemetery in Thorsby, AL.

Pallbearers will be Kevin Ray, Dylan Higgins, Trent Ray, Brock Higgins, Grayson Ray, and Gary Foshee. Honorary pallbearer will be Isreal Higgins.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to the Alabama Baptist Children’s Home.

Final care and arrangements entrusted to the Ellison Memorial Funeral Home of Clanton, AL.

www.EllisonMemorialFuneralHome.com