Mrs. Evelyn Howell-Porter

Evelyn (Howell) Porter, affectionately known as Sister Pie, or Knock Out, was born April 5, 1945, in Waldo, Arkansas, the fifth child of eleven children born to Earmon Howell, Sr and Lula Mae (Martin) Howell. Evelyn Porter grew up in Waldo, Arkansas on a farm with her siblings, picking cotton, vegetables, and tending to life in rural America. She attended West Side High School where she participated in basketball, softball, and track. Leaving Waldo, Arkansas to attend Arkansas Baptist College and later transferring to Philander Smith College, where she graduated in 1968 with a degree in Elementary Education. Later in her teaching career, Evelyn graduated from Olivet Nazarene University with a Master’s in Teaching. At Arkansas Baptist College where she met her husband, a student at Arkansas Baptist College Dr. Leonard Porter (Marvell, Arkansas) and they were married on August 18th, 1969. In 1970 Evelyn and her husband moved to Chicago, Illinois where she began her teaching career with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago. She joined True Fellowship under the leadership Pastor Hardy during this time. In 1974, after relocating to St. Anne, Illinois, Evelyn continued her teaching career at George Washington Carver, Ida L. Bush and later Lorenzo R. Smith Elementary School in Pembroke Township, Illinois. She joined Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in St. Anne (Sun River Terrace, IL) in 1974 under the leadership of Alex T. Bond Jr. She was faithful with her attendance and serving on the Usher Board, teaching Sunday School, teaching Vacation Bible School, Youth Enrichment Program (Y.E.P), Resource Committee, Mother Board, Puppet Ministry, and the Kankakee Branch of the NAACP. She remained a 1st grade and 5th grade teacher for 33 years and retired as one of the most tenured teachers in the history of Lorenzo R. Smith winning various county, regional, and state elementary education awards. Evelyn loved teaching and was most proud of developing future leaders from the Hopkins Park/Pembroke Township area. In her retirement she remained active with the Kankakee County Teachers Union and continued substitute teaching and tutoring students in the Kankakee County area. Evelyn (Howell) Porter departed this life for her heavenly teaching job on February 14, 2026. She leaves behind her husband Dr. Leonard Porter of 56 years, her sons DuWarn Porter, MBA, Chicago, IL and Dr. Jarman Myron Porter (Princess) of St. Anne, IL, 6 grandchildren-Monshay, Christian, Jerrica, Amani, Jahiem, Devin and 5 great grandchildren-Brandon, Carter, Jordyn, Riley, Raya. She is also survived by her older brother, Thurston Howell (Audrey) Dallas TX, sisters Genevia Howell (Waldo, AR), Helen (Howell) Williams (Texarkana, AR), and Lillie Mae Howell (Lancaster, TX), Darrell Witcher (Waldo, AR), and Uncle Odell Howell (Pheonix, AZ), Sister In-Law Ophelia (Porter) Mosely (Mt. Juliet, TN), Mary Porter (James), Moore Hot Springs AR . Preceding her in death, Mother Lula Mae (Martin) Howell, Father Earmon Howell, Sr., Mother In-Law Evandres Porter, and Father In-Law Issac Bo Porter. Sisters Bernice (Howell) Seamster and Norma Jean Howell, brothers Earmon Howell, Jr., Lee Dale Howell, Early Dale Howell, and Theodis Howell, Brother In-Law Ernest Porter, Brother In-Law Issac Porter Jr, Sister In-Law Maria Moore, Johnnie Mae Porter. Evelyn (Howell) Porter also survived by countless nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and friends from Arkansas to Illinois. Family and friends alike, thank God for being blessed with such a phenomenal woman. Graveside Committal services will be held Saturday, March 14th, 2026, at Smith Cemetery in Waldo, Arkansas at 11:00 a.m., under the direction of R.L. Reed Funeral Home, LLC. “For precaution due to the COVID-19, Masks are Encouraged but Not Required While Attending the Services. However, wearing masks ensures safety for you and others. Thank you.”

Mrs. Evelyn Howell-Porter

April 5, 1945 - February 14, 2026

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Mrs. Evelyn Howell-Porter

April 5, 1945 - February 14, 2026

Obituary Notification

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information