Betty M. Porterfield

Betty Alice McGraw Porterfield, beloved wife, mother, educator, and servant of faith, passed away peacefully at the age of 92. Born on April 9, 1933, in Savannah, Georgia, she was the daughter of the late James Archie McGraw Sr. and Annie Lee Copeland McGraw.

A dedicated student and lifelong learner, Betty graduated from Savannah High School in 1951. She earned her Associate Degree in Elementary Education from Truett McConnell Baptist Junior College in 1953, and went on to complete her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Mercer University in 1956. She later attended Southeastern Seminary from 1958 to 1959 and received her Master of Arts in Teaching from Winthrop University in 1974.

Betty devoted her professional life to the education of young children, teaching elementary school in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Her impact extended beyond the classroom as she also served in mission work and ministry throughout her life. She taught mission studies at multiple churches, worked with the Children’s Attention Home, Project Hope, and the York Baptist Association, and was a dedicated leader of the Mission Friends preschool program. Betty served on the South Carolina State Women’s Missionary Union Board and was a faithful Sunday School teacher.

In 1954, Betty married Rev. Bob J. Porterfield. Together, they served in churches across Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, ultimately settling in Rock Hill, SC, in 1965, where Bob served as the Baptist Student Minister at Winthrop University for 32 years. Betty found joy and fellowship as an active member of the Ministers’ Wives Associations in the three states where they lived and served.

She is survived by her loving children: Libby Porterfield Gaston (Jimmy) of Richburg, SC; Catherine Porterfield Rouillard (Tom) of Rock Hill, SC; and Kenneth Porterfield (Christoph Reed) of Rock Hill, SC. She is also survived by her sister, Mary Ann McGraw Hardy of Blacksburg, VA, and her brother, John William “Bill” McGraw of Clemson, SC; her grandchildren: Sarah Elizabeth Gaston (Ryan Powers) of Richburg, SC; Robert Gaston of Richburg, SC; Alicia Rouillard Freeman (Jared) of Colonial Heights, VA; Elliott Rouillard (Makenzie Goff) of Richmond, VA; and Trevor Rouillard (Kata) of Greenville, SC; and her great-grandchildren, Joshua, Dalton, Isaac, Levi, and Saffron. Betty was predeceased by her husband of 61 years, Rev. Bob J. Porterfield, her daughter Cheryl Porterfield Little, and her siblings James Archie McGraw Jr., Walker Copeland McGraw, and Nancy Carolyn McGraw.

A funeral service to celebrate her life and legacy will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at Harmony Baptist Church in Edgemoor, SC. Rev. Jamie Burdette of First Baptist Church in Rock Hill will officiate. A graveside service at Harmony Baptist Church will be held after with Rev. Mark Bradley of Second Baptist Church in Rock Hill officiating.

Betty Porterfield’s life was a testament to her deep faith, compassion for others, and unwavering dedication to education and service. She leaves behind a legacy of love, learning, and ministry that will continue to inspire all who knew her.

Her life verse was Philippians 4:19: And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Memorials may be made to the Children’s Attention Home of Rock Hill, SC.