The life of a deacon

By WAYNE QUESENBERRY/Staff

“Let the servants who perform the duties of their office well be considered doubly worthy of honor, especially those who labor faithfully in the word and teaching.” I Timothy 5:17

Serving the Lord, his church, the community and country is a way of life for James R. Porter of Wytheville. He never takes these duties lightly.
“What you do in life seems so insignificant at the time,” remarked the 80-year-old Norton native. “When you look back on life, you hope something you’ve done has made a difference.”
For his many areas of service, Porter recently received the prestigious Deacon for Life Award at Wytheville Baptist Church. He has been an active member of the church for 40 years.
“God has a special place for each of us to serve and you have chosen to follow His path,” stated George Hamm, chairman of the deacon board, in his presentation. “You have been the hands, the feet, the voice and the love of God expressed in many different ways. You have chosen to honor Him as you have served in his name. Thank you for your willingness to give of yourself and be used where God has placed you. You have blessed many lives.”
The recipient is chosen by the church’s current deacon board based on length of service, age and activities. The honoree is presented to the church membership which then votes on the candidate.
“It was a total surprise,” commented Porter of the award. “It made me feel very honored and humble.”
He joined the Wytheville Baptist Church in July 1967 after moving to Wytheville from St. Paul that June. He was previously a member of First Baptist Church of St. Paul.
A former deacon at the Wytheville church, Porter has served as director of the children’s Sunday school department. He has been a member of the nominating committee, chairman of the property committee, chairman of the finance committee, chairman of the personnel committee and member and outreach leader of the New Hope Sunday School Class.
As a member of the 82nd Airborne Division during the Korean War, Porter first came to Wytheville with a friend on weekends while they were stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C.
“I never dreamed that I would live here one day,” noted Porter, who grew up in Wise County and completed high school there. “Our business served Wythe and Bland counties for over 30 years. Some of the best people you’ll ever meet live in this area.”
Porter and his wife, the former Mary Helen Large, owned and operated Community Health Care in Wytheville. They have since sold the business to their daughter, Jamie Elaine Claypool, and a partner.
The Porters also have a daughter, Rebecca P. Sykes, who lives in Lebanon and heads the elementary school music program in Russell County. They also have five grandchildren.
According to Porter, his wife’s job as an Avon district manager led them to Wytheville to stay. Porter himself was hired as a supervisor for two areas for Hercules Inc., the U.S. Army contractor at the Radford Army Ammunition Plant.
“The Vietnam War was slowing down and there were cutbacks,” he pointed out. “I decided to look for another job.”
In early 1972, Porter was hired as purchasing agent for Wythe County Community Hospital six months before the new hospital opened. He remained for 11 years until he and his wife opened their business in the spring of 1979.
A former golfer, Porter spends his spare time landscaping. He and his wife are trying to keep “the neatest yard in town.”
Church and community projects keep him busy, too.
“The duties of a deacon are to serve the Lord, the church and the community,” Porter stated. “Each deacon is assigned so many families to serve. We check on them when they’re sick and to see about their needs.”
Wayne Quesenberry can be reached at 228-6611 or .