Anna Mae Porter

 Anna Mae Porter (Saxton), age 90, of Tipton, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 27, 2023, surrounded by her family. She was born on November 2, 1932, in Tipton, Indiana to her parents, Gail & Geneva (Williams) Saxton. Annie married the love of her life, Keith Porter, on April 25, 1951, in Norfolk, Virginia.  They shared 60 years of marriage before Keith passed away on June 30, 2011.   

Annie graduated from Tipton High School, class of 1951.  She was an incredibly hard worker; she started working at a young age.  For her first job, she would walk a pony that carried oil over to State Road 213 while it was being built and lit the oil lanterns that would light up the highway danger signs.  She would also light the signs for the railroad and pull weeds in the farmers’ fields. 

Annie’s strong work ethic continued throughout her life. Her commitment to her family and service to her community was obvious. Annie proudly stood by her husband, Keith, and served the good people of Tipton through the ministry of funeral service for over forty years. Keith may have been the funeral director, but Annie was the heart of their business. She made many sacrifices through the years, but always counted it an honor to help her husband serve families in their greatest time of need.

Annie loved animals and always took great care of her furry family members. Her favorite dog was an English bulldog.  Her grandmother had a white one when Annie was growing up and from that point on, she always wanted one of her own. In 1964, she saved all of her silver dollars in a cigar box until she had enough to order one from the Spiegel catalog.  She took all of her saved money and drove to Louisville, Kentucky to pick him up from the train station. From that point on, she only owned English bulldogs.

Annie had many hobbies to keep her busy in her free time.  She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, puzzles, bingo, and watching game shows.  She was a great cook and loved to prepare meals for her family.  Annie liked to go camping, even though it was still a lot of work for her to prepare all of the meals, she loved having everyone together.  She loved to travel, Florida being her favorite place to go.  She also enjoyed being social with her lifelong friends and belonged to the CB Club.  She was even known to cut a rug on the square-dancing floor!

If Annie was a part of your life, you were better for it! She was a woman of her word; always saying what she meant and meaning what she said. She was often comical with a sassy wit. If she cooked for you that meant she loved you, and if she was your friend, she was your friend for life. Annie was blunt, honest and to the point. She loved talking about the good ol days and definitely had the gift of offering perspective and wisdom to most circumstances. She was certainly one of a kind and will be missed beyond measure! 

Those left to carry on Annie’s legacy of love are her children, Kim Porter, Jack Porter; grandchildren, Lisa Guy, Chris Johns, Tom Porter, Matt Porter, Katrina Fenn, Daniel Porter, Jill Porter, Keither Porter; great grandchildren, Alex Guy, Jacob Guy, Elizabeth Guy, Tori Rozmus, Andrew Porter, Brianna Porter, Blakelee Porter, McKenzie Cruz, Koleson Porter, Ameila Porter, Ryker Porter, Emileen Johns, Haley Johns; great-great grandchildren, Amslee Marley, Emmett Johnson, Riley Baxter, Davina Guy, Archie Rozmus; and many nieces and nephews. 

Annie was welcomed into Heaven by her parents, Gail & Geneva Saxton; husband Keith Porter; children Jay Porter, Kevin Porter; daughter in law, Margie Porter; and brother, Patrick (Penny) Saxton.

A funeral service celebrating Annie’s life will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at 2:00pm at Taylor & Cowan Funeral Home located at 314 N. Main Street Tipton, Indiana 46072 with Pastor Joe Brock officiating.  Visitation for family and friends will take place prior to the service from Noon-2:00pm. 

Taylor & Cowan Funeral Home is honored to serve the Porter family in their time of need. Please feel free to leave an online condolence or share a special memory of Annie with her family on her tribute wall. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Anna Mae Porter, please visit our floral store.