KERNERSVILLE, NC - Mr. Rufus Wendell Porter, age 83, passed away Monday, May 25, 2026 at Beacon Place Hospice in Greensboro, NC.

Funeral services will be held Monday, June 1, 2026 from the Magnificent Reid Memorial Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, 1010 Bennett Street, Greensboro, NC. The visitation and viewing will begin at 10:30 a.m., followed by the service at 11 a.m.

The committal and interment will follow in Lakeview Memorial Park, Greensboro, NC.

Wendell Porter was born on October 2, 1942, in Anderson, South Carolina, to the late Rufus and Thelma Porter. He peacefully lived a life marked by kindness, service, faith, and love for others.

Wendell truly enjoyed people and never met a stranger. His warm smile, welcoming spirit, and genuine conversations left lasting impressions on everyone he encountered. He was a longtime and devoted member of Allen A.M.E. Church in Queens, New York, where he faithfully served on the Usher Board.

Wendell was also employed with the Allen A.M.E. Transportation Department, where he drove charter buses for nearly ten years, transporting people throughout the state. Through this work, he formed many lifelong friendships and connections that remained dear to him throughout his life.

An avid sports enthusiast, Wendell especially loved football. He did not favor just one team—he enjoyed watching them all simply because of his love for the game.

Wendell was adventurous, determined, and faithful in all that he set his heart to do. Even as his health began to decline, he continued serving his community with unwavering dedication. He volunteered faithfully at the food pantry at First Church of God in Christ, helping distribute food to those in need. During his daily morning walks to visit his mother, he would also pick up litter along the way—rain, shine, or snow—demonstrating his caring spirit and commitment to his community.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Rufus and Thelma Porter, and one brother, William Porter.

Wendell leaves to cherish his precious memories his beloved wife, Mary L. Porter; two daughters, Audrey Ford and Karen Dawson; two sons, Keith Porter (Sandneatha) and Kenneth Porter (Mary); one brother, Rufus Porter (Jackie), affectionately called by Wendell, "Minnesota Fats"; grandchildren, Kasha  Jones (Ja'Quian), Antonio Key, Edasha Key, Zaccheus Miles, Zavier Miles (Ashley), Karis Morris (Cameron), Thelma Dawson-Wallace, Jamira Dawson-Williams, and Arkavia Mallory; ten great-grandchildren; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and dear friends.

Wendell's life was a beautiful example of faithfulness, compassion, and service. His presence will be deeply missed, but his legacy of love and kindness will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

Service by McLaurin-Harris