Mr Dante Gabrel Porter

Dante Gabrel Porter was born on September 7, 1935, in Winton, North Carolina. He was the tenth of eleven children born to Spurgeon and Fannie Newsome Porter. On November 28, 2025, Dante passed away peacefully at home in Smithfield, Virginia, at the age of 90, surrounded by his loving family. Dante was raised on a rural North Carolina farm, where he learned early the value of hard work. Under the guidance of his devoted parents, he developed a strong work ethic that would define his entire life. He often spoke of his early years—plowing fields behind a mule, planting and harvesting by hand, chopping wood, hunting and fishing, and living without modern conveniences. Although he referred to those days as "hard times," he remembered them fondly as days of "living in the woods." Dante attended C.S. Brown School in Winton, NC. Dante moved to Newport News, Virginia in 1956 in search of better opportunities. There he found both steady work and the love of his life. On September 30, 1957, he married Hermenia Davis. They shared 52 devoted years, raising six children before her untimely passing in 2009. Dante worked briefly at the Newport News Shipyard before beginning a 31-year career with the City of Hampton Public Works Department. He retired in 1990 as a refuse collector—a demanding job that he approached with pride, humor, and an eye for the "treasures" others discarded. Dante became a baptized Jehovah's Witness in 1963. He faithfully served for many years as an Elder in the Newport News South Congregation until his health declined. He dedicated countless hours to helping others—offering spiritual guidance, sharing the good news of God's Kingdom, giving rides to those without transportation, and assisting anyone in need, even when his own resources were limited. His life was marked by humility, generosity, and a deep desire to serve. Dante enjoyed watching sports, playing cards, sharing jokes—especially "dad jokes"—and spending time with his large extended family. He brought warmth, laughter, and spiritual insight into the home he created, making it a welcoming place for friends and loved ones. Above all, he was a devoted father and provider. Dante cherished his family deeply and was one of the early organizers of the Porter family reunions, a beloved tradition that continues today through younger generations.

Mr Dante Gabrel Porter

September 7, 1935 - November 28, 2025