Porter James Coe

Mr. Porter James Coe, 84, of 119 Summit Avenue, Mount Airy, left for his heavenly home on Tuesday, October 12, 2010. Mr. Coe was born March 6, 1926, in Surry County, son of the late James M. and Lula Moser Coe. He was a member of Bannertown Baptist Church for more than 50 years, where he served as deacon, Sunday school teacher, and a member of the choir. Mr. Coe was a sergeant in the United States Army, serving in the Philippines during World War II, and retiring from United Technologies/Essex Wire after 43 years of service. His wife of 66 years, Lorene Evans Coe, preceded him in death on August 28, 2009. He is survived by a son, the Rev. Terry Lee Coe and his wife, Shelby Hill Coe, of Lakeland, FL, where he made his home for the past 1 ½ years. Mr. Coe is also survived by three granddaughters, Melissa Coe Whennell and her husband, Richard, of Bracknell, England, Michele Coe Tester and her husband, Tom, of Kernersville, and Melanie Coe Wallace and her husband, the Rev. Aaron of Wendell. He has seven great-grandchildren, Frederick and Harrison Whennell, John Thomas, Alex and Michael Tester, and Sydney and Macy Wallace; two sisters, Lucy Mae Lewis of Mount Airy and Norris Key of Level Cross; and a brother and sister-in-law, Clifton and Josephine Coe of Level Cross; seven nephews; and eleven nieces. Other survivors include a son-in-law, Robert Creed of Charlotte; and special friends, Roger and Delores Jessup Hill of Mount Airy and Everett Dawson of Cana, VA. Mr. Coe was preceded in death by an infant son, Alan Ree; and a loving daughter and granddaughter, Vicki Coe Creed and Jennifer Creed Black; three brothers, Claude, Paul, and Posey Coe; and two sisters, Josie Coe Marsh and Ila Coe. A visitation will be held Sunday, October 17, 2010, from 5:00 until 7:00 PM at Bannertown Baptist Church, with the funeral service immediately following. The service will be conducted by his son and grandson-in-law, the Rev. Aaron Wallace. Burial will take place on Monday morning, October 18, 2010, at 11:00 AM at Pine Hill Friends Church Cemetery. Full military rites will be conducted at the grave site by the VFW Memorial Honor Guard. Memorial contributions may be made to Cornerstone Hospice, 2590 Havendale Boulevard, Winter Haven, FL 33881.