Rev. Joseph Rogers Porterfield, Sr., 80, of Savannah, passed away on December 30, 2011, at his residence. Graveside funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 2, 2012, in Oak Ridge Cemetery. Rev. Eric Sizemore will officiate with burial to follow. The family will receive friends on Monday, January 2, 2012, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., prior to the service, at Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.
Rev. Porterfield was born on November 17, 1931 in Macon and was the son of Ralph Waldo Porterfield, Sr. and Josephine Belcher Porterfield, both deceased. He was also preceded in death by one brother, Rev. Ralph Waldo Porterfield, Jr.
Rev. Porterfield was retired from the South Georgia Methodist Conference, in which he served many churches, including Trinity United Methodist Church in Savannah, which was the last church he served as pastor. He was a graduate of Cordele High School and attended Valdosta State College and Emory University.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial gifts may be made to Wesley Oaks United Methodist Church of Savannah, 3124 East Victory Drive, Savannah, GA 31404 or Hospice Savannah, 1674 Chatham Parkway, Savannah, GA 31405.
Rev. Porterfield is survived by his wife, Donnie Donaldson Porterfield of Savannah; one son and daughter-in-law, Joseph Rogers Porterfield, Jr. and his wife Carol of Tybee Island; one daughter and son-in-law, Diana and Glenn Anderson of Savannah; and two grandchildren, Taylor Porterfield and John Joseph Gascho.