Fanye Ranger Porter

FANYE RANGER PORTER, 83, of Little Rock–beloved wife, mother, sister and cherished friend-passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013, in her home, following a long illness. Born on Jan. 4, 1930, in Austin, Texas, and raised in Fort Worth, Texas, Fanye was a Little Rock resident since 1966. She had a long and distinguished career as an educator, including serving as a high school principal, college professor and university administrator. She served on the faculty of Lane College in Jackson, Tenn., was Dean of Women at Philander Smith College in Little Rock, and retired in 1997 as Assistant Vice Chancellor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR). Fanye received her undergraduate degree from Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Mo., and her Master's Degree from the University of Minnesota. She also pursued additional graduate studies at the University of California, Berkeley. Fanye was very active in the community as a member of several public service organizations, including the Links, Inc., the Board of Trustees for the Central Arkansas Library System, and the Little Rock Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Her affiliation with the sorority spanned 65 years, including serving as President of the Little Rock Alumnae chapter. She was also a member of several professional organizations, including the Arkansas Education Association, the Arkansas College Personnel Association and the Arkansas Council of Women in Higher Education. She served the two latter organizations as President. She is survived by her husband, Albert Porter; two daughters, Portia Porter Mittelman (Mark) of Springfield, Va. and Lois Jefferson Gilder (John) of Memphis, Tenn.; a son, Albert Porter II, of Los Angeles, Calif.; one granddaughter, Johnice Gilder McRae (Floyd) of Atlanta, Ga.; three grandsons, Cameron Mittelman of Arlington, Va., Jordan Mittelman of Springfield, Va., and Dariel Gilder (Rae) of Hayward, CA; two great-granddaughters, Sterling Gilder and Jayla McRae; two great-grandsons, Jabari McRae and Jelani McRae; a sister, Blanche Ranger of Fort Worth, Texas; three brothers, Richard Ranger (Judy) of Walnut, Calif., Stephen Ranger of Fort Worth, Texas, and D. Marcus Ranger (Carla), of Dallas, Texas; and a host of extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Bishop R. E. Ranger and Mrs. Blanche Bailey Ranger; four brothers, Lionel Ranger, John Ranger, Samuel Ranger and Patrick Ranger; and two sisters, Edna Pippins and Blanever Ranger. A visitation will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013, at Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth Funeral Home, 5800 W. 12 Street in Little Rock. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013, at St. Mark Baptist Church, 5722 W. 12 Street in Little Rock. The family extends special appreciation to the staff of Baptist Health Hospice. Please share your memories and express your condolences to the family at www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com.