Obit – Kate Beasley Porter
Kate Beasley Porter died July 4, 2025, in Oak Ridge, TN. She was born January 16, 1937, to Kitty and William Beasley, on a farm in Dixon Springs, TN. After graduating from Smith County High School in Carthage, TN, in 1955, Kate attended the University of Tennessee, where she majored in Home Economics and was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. She married Walter Ellis Porter in December 1957. For most of her adult life Kate and her family lived in Clinton, TN.
A loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Kate was known for her infectious laugh and good humor. A true homemaker, she enjoyed cooking, crafting, gardening, and entertaining. She was a gifted seamstress, designing and sewing eight wedding gowns for her daughters, daughter-in-law, and several friends and relatives. Kate served on the board of the Anderson County Red Cross and was a member of the Clinton Wednesday Club, the Timely Topics Club, and First Presbyterian Church of Oak Ridge, where she served as elder.
Kate will be lovingly remembered by Walter, her husband of 67 years; daughter Carol Porter Childress (Milt) of Charlotte, NC, son Walter Ellis Porter, Jr. (Tracie) of Franklin, TN, and daughter Mary Kate Porter Wilson (Tom) of Greenville, SC; grandchildren Alex Childress Slabaugh (Drew) of Charlotte, Gracie Childress Lobao (Vitor) of Miami, FL, John Childress (Tori) of Charlotte, John Porter (Katrina) of Minneapolis, MN, Alan Porter (Cecilia) of Nashville, Polly Wilson Lisle (Grant) of Greenville, Helen Wilson of Charlotte, and Cleve Wilson of Nashville; and great-grandchildren Mary Jane Lisle, Alexander Porter, Eleanor Porter, Jack Childress, and Margot Lisle.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, August 9, from 2:00-4:00 at Holley Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton. A private interment service will be held at a later date.
Memorial gifts may be made to Alzheimer’s Tennessee, 5801 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919.
Holley Gamble Funeral Home is proud to be serving the Porter family. www.Holleygamble.com.
