Mother Olivia Baker Porter

Mother Olivia Baker Porter, affectionally known as “Lib,” was born in Evans County, Georgia, on February 4, 1930, to the late Archie Baker and the late Carrie Mikel Baker. She departed this life Thursday, April 18, 2024, at the home of her daughter, Chenita Porter, in Claxton, Georgia. 

She was educated in the Evans County school system and attended Evans County Training School. In 1954, the school was rebuilt, and the name was changed to Evans County High School, located on Church Street in Claxton, Georgia. She was a member of the class of 1948, but later in life she obtained her GED and was appointed manager of the school’s lunchroom. She worked in Food Service for Evans County Board of Education for twenty-four years. She was also employed with the Regional Youth Detention Center in Evans County in food service. Mother Lib also catered food for many families and many occasions. She was employed in a number of area restaurants and homes. 

Mother Olivia was a loving, caring, and soft-spoken woman of God. At an early age, she united with Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church in Groveland, Georgia. After marriage, she joined Hagan Chapel Baptist Church in Hagan, Georgia, to serve along with her husband, Lonza Porter. She was a very faithful, humble, and hardworking servant who also served as mission president for several years. She was the oldest member of Hagan Chapel and was the mother of the church. She helped and headed up many meals in the fellowship hall of Hagan Chapel, Jerusalem Missionary Baptist, Tattnall Baptist Association, Tattnall Campground, as well as many of the other local and area churches. She was also a member of the social clubs, Jolly Twelve Club and the Gladiate. 

Mother Olivia was preceded in death by her husband, Lonza Porter; son, Garland Porter; daughter, Patricia Diane Baynes; parents, Archie Baker and Carrie Mikel Baker; brothers, Wallace Baker, Archie Baker, Jr., Waddell Baker, and James Verdell Baker; and sisters, Mildred Carr, Nona Lee Williams, Clotee Jennings, and Esteen Swanson. 

She leaves to cherish her memories: daughter, Chenita Porter of Claxton, GA; son, Edwin Dexter Porter (Tashika) of Lakeland, FL; one sister, Ollie Mae Baker of Claxton, GA; stepchildren, McArther Porter of Savannah, GA, Daryl (Ronda) Littles of Augusta, GA, and Sharon Jeanne (Reginald) Cooper of Glennville, GA; twenty two grandchildren; twenty-one great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren, including two great-granddaughters, Christine Porter and Brittney Robbins; who were also part of her care giving team; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.