Terry Porter, 76, passed away peacefully on October 3, 2024. Terry was the only daughter of John & Betty Backstrom; wife to Mike Porter; sister to Johnny, Mark, and Bob; mother to Jon (Toni), Jami (Russ), and Joel (Julie); grandma to Mackenzie (Levi), John, Cole, Caley, and Caden; and great grandma to Grayson, Emerson, and Bradlee.
Terry was dedicated to Jehovah and committed to the teachings of the Bible. She was active in the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses on Watrous Avenue in Des Moines, She enjoyed sharing her faith with others and the community of brothers and sisters her faith provided.
Terry grew up on the south side of Des Moines, graduated from Lincoln High school and loved telling stories of growing up on the south side. It will come as no surprise that her favorite restaurants were Henry J’s for tacos and La Pizza House for pizza and onion rings on Fridays.
Terry loved spending time with her family. Those gatherings often took place out at the farm where her favorite place was her home overlooking the pond, especially during fall with the changing color of the leaves. Her grandchildren have many memories that spark laughter around being transported by Grandma Terry (car, horse, whatever she was ‘driving’) and her likelihood to jump curbs at drive-thrus or get a little too close to buildings.
Terry was preceded in death by her mother, father, and brother (Johnny).
Terry’s service will be Friday, November 8, 2024, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 420 Watrous Ave, Des Moines, at 2pm, with a celebration of Terry and sharing of memories at Legacy Club House, 600 Colonial Circle, Norwalk, IA, 50211, from 4-7p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to local organizations to spread kindness.