MARY E. HARRISON PORTER, a Pioneering African American Entrepreneur, entered into eternal rest on Monday, October 12, 2020 at the age of 95.  She was married to the late Joseph Porter.  She was a native and lifelong resident of Slidell in the Indian Village area.  She was the daughter of James Joseph Harrison and Laura Brookter.  Mary was born on October 9, 1925.  She graduated from the St. Tammany Parish Training School with honors.  She attended Grambling State University for one year and later attended Slidell Business School.  She was the first Black to work with The United Way and to become a member of Slidell Little Theatre.  She was the first Black hired to host a spiritual radio program for Slidell's first radio station, WBGS and had an hour-long Sunday morning gospel program.  In 1970, Mary was the first Black hired as a teller of Slidell's one and only bank at the time, Bank of Slidell.  She retired from the bank after fifteen years to care for her grandson.  Mary was a lifelong member of Hartzell Mt. Zion United Methodist Church and served on many committees through the years.  Mary and her husband operated Porter's Delicatessen and the Village Inn Lounge, restaurant and picnic area.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Porter and son Ronald Porter.

Mary is survived by her two daughters, Andrea Porter Claude (Richard) and Janine Porter Sylvas (Bruce).  She is also survived by 17 grandchildren and a host of great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.  Her service will be held at Hartzell Mt. Zion U. M. C., 41040 Hwy. 190 E., Slidell, Louisiana on Saturday, October 17, 2020.  Visitation is from 10:00 to 10:45 pm.

Interment in Porter Cemetery.  Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the service is limited to the family.  However, it will be streaming live on Hartzell Mt. Zion's FaceBook page.