Wallace "Wally" Porter

Wallace “Wally” Porter, 80, of Jonesboro, died Sunday, August 3, 2014 at his home. He had lived in Jonesboro since 1973, moving here from Helena. Wally was of the Church of Christ belief. He was a graduate of Southern State University in Magnolia. Wally was a football coach in Brinkley, Searcy, Helena, Arkadelphia and Green County Tech. His 1966 Brinkley Football team won the All-State Championship. Wally met Sharon Dunlap while coaching in Helena and they got married in March of 1966. After retiring from coaching, he and Sharon opened up Porter’s Nursery until his retirement in 1995. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister.

Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Sharon, of the home; son, John Wallace Porter of Memphis; daughter, Susan Marie Overton of Jonesboro; sisters, Mary Sue Von-Ohlen of Denver; Wanda Smith of Malvern; and sister in law Gail (Wayne) Sowell of West Plaines, Missouri; grandson, William Swepston Overton and granddaughter, Georgia Wallace-Porter Overton.

Funeral services will be 1:00 Thursday, August 7, 2014 at Emerson Memorial Chapel with Dr. Jimmy Adcox officiating and Emerson Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Burial will follow at Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery with Wayne Sowell, Marty Bennett, Will Overton, George Best, James Hudson, Eldon Von-Ohlen, Ray Smith and Shane Byrd serving as pallbearers. Visitation will be from 5-7 Wednesday night at Emerson Funeral Home.

For lasting memorials, please consider: Alzheimer's Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave., 7th fl., New York, New York 10001; Children’s Home Inc., 5515 Walcott Road
Paragould, Arkansas 72450; or a charity of your choice. To sign an online guest book, go to emersonfuneralhome.com.