Beth Jordan Porter

Beth Jordan Porter, 95, of Murray, Utah, returned to her loving Heavenly Father on August 30, 2022, at her daughter’s home in West Jordan, Utah.

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Beth was born to Alfred Edwin and Hilda Jane Armstrong Jordan on September 24, 1926, in Winder, Utah, the sixth of their nine children. She married Garth “R” Porter on September 1, 1944, in Elko, Nevada. They were sealed for time and all eternity in the Logan Temple on August 9, 1945.

She is survived by four sons, two daughters and their spouses: Edwin (Mary) Porter, Priest Lake, ID; Ronald (Lee) Porter, Tucson, AZ; Ralph (Pat) Porter, Spring City, UT; Santa, aka David (Alise) Claus, Murray, UT; Becky Hunter, Owatonna, MN; Merrilynn (Norman) Rosvall, West Jordan, UT; one son-in-law, John Massaro, St. George, UT; 23 grandchildren; 67 great grandchildren; 38 great-great grandchildren; and one brother, Ray (Jackie) Jordan, Vernal, UT.

Beth was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Garth; one daughter, Beth-Anne Massaro; one son-in-law, Delvan Bybee, and three grandchildren, Ira Porter, Patrick Teeter and Jessica Massaro; three brothers and four sisters, Mary Ricks, Win Jordan, Harry Jordan, Amy Jordan, Don Jordan, Elva Jordan, and Vera Atwood.

Garth was in the U. S. Army, stationed at Fort McClellan in Alabama, when he and Beth were married on the last day of his furlough. Beth put her affairs in order and joined her husband there several months later. After his discharge from the military, they returned to Utah where their first child was born. Within a few months they left for California where he enrolled in carpentry training. They returned to Utah in 1949 with two children and purchased a one-acre parcel of land in Murray where Garth built a home for their growing family. Five more children joined the family over the next 13 years for a total of four sons and three daughters. For several years, the couple also provided a home for a Native American placement student, Stan Whiteman.  Garth passed away in 1988 and Beth continued to live for many years in the home she loved, the home he had built for her. She spent the last few years of her life in the loving care of her youngest daughter, Merrilynn. 

Beth was a faithful, committed, lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and fulfilled callings in Primary, Young Women’s, and Relief Society, and was recognized for her work in the Cub Scout program. She was also an avid genealogist and devoted many long hours to family history research and temple work. She believed in living the gospel, not only in words but in actions and in the example she set for her children and others. She mirrored the love of the Savior, often providing hot meals, a helping hand, or simply a smile and a warm hug for the elderly, the needy, and those in mourning. One of her favorite hymns was Because I Have Been Given Much.

The gospel and her family were the most important things in her life. She enjoyed spending time with her husband and children, whether it was camping, fishing, boating or sledding; sharing her talents as a writer, storyteller and actor; pursuing her lifelong passion for jigsaw puzzles; or spending time with extended family members. Her favorite holidays were Christmas and Halloween.

Thrift and frugality were an integral part of who she was. She had learned from her mother when she was just a child: “We aren’t going to throw out the backdoor with a teaspoon what your dad brought in the front door with a shovel.” She helped stretch the what we are is God's gift to us what we become is our gift to God family budget through her hard work and industry: repairing rather than replacing items; making, cleaning and mending her children’s clothing; gardening and preserving vegetables and fruits; and teaching her children the value of work.

Prior to marriage, Beth worked at the Western Union Telegraph Company. During that time, a telegram arrived from the War Department stating that her brother, P.F.C. Harry A. Jordan had died. Her heart ached as she delivered that sad message to her family. While her children were young, she was a stay-at-home mother and homemaker. Once her children were grown, she worked in the manufacturing industry for medical supplies, and received awards and commendations for her work. 

Other than her time in Utah, Alabama and California, Beth was especially grateful for the opportunities she had to visit Hawaii, Idaho and Washington D.C. Her international travels took her to England twice, once with her brother, Don, and once with her oldest son, Ed, and his wife. She toured Northern Ireland when her brother, Ray, and his wife were serving a mission there. She also spent time in Canada with the Murray High School Band and Mexico with her oldest daughter, Beth-Anne's family. She regretted not being able to visit New Zealand.

Beth’s life was an example of love, both for her family and the gospel.  She delighted in the natural beauty of the world, wholesome entertainment, and creating things to help and serve others. As she overcame hardships and obstacles, she always recognized the blessings and tender mercies of God. Beth will be sorely missed.

Services Wednesday, September 7, 2022, at 11:30 am. Winchester Ward Chapel, located at 6320 South 700 West, Murray, Utah 84123. Viewing two hours prior to services. The internment will be held at the Memorial Redwood Cemetery, located at 6500 South Redwood Road in Salt Lake City, Utah.