Hattie M. Porter

Hattie Marie Porter fell asleep in death on October 10, 2016.  We welcome all who knew her to join her family in commemorating her 87 years of life on Thursday, October 20, 2016 @ 1:00pm.

On September 5, 1929, Hattie Marie Stephney was born to Daniel and Easter Law Stephney in Matagorda County, Texas as the 6th of 7 children. Her parents lived in the rural community of Bell Bottom in Matagorda County. Hattie loved the Lord with all her heart and soul and accepted Christ at an early age. She was a member of Historic Saint Mark Missionary Baptist Church in Bell Bottom. While growing up, she attended historical A. G. Hilliard High School which was established in the 1890’s in Bay City, Texas. After graduating from High School she attended Franklin Beauty School in Houston, Texas.

In 1964, Hattie Marie moved to Portland, Oregon.  She became a member of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church.  She was married to James Porter until his death. Hattie gave birth to one child, Mathew “Butch” Mouton, who preceded her in death. Hattie was the epitome of an entrepreneur. After doing business out of her home in both Texas and Portland, Hattie acquired her first beauty shop in Walnut Park on Union Avenue,   she later moved to corner of 7th/Broadway and renamed it “Broadway Hairweevers”, which has operated for over 50 years at several locations throughout NE Portland, the last being at 15th/Fremont for 25 of those years. The Slogan for her beauty shop was “We can do it all, we can even cover the bald”.  Hattie’s belief that she could “do it all”, drove her start up several businesses which included a Clothing boutique, a Day Care, a restaurant, and she operated several rental properties.

In her pastime, Hattie Marie enjoyed watching all sports and entertaining friends and family. She was well known for her extravagant and well planned “Super Bowl” parties, where individuals would attend from all over. She also used to host “Fashion Shows” that would showcase the latest hairstyles, clothing, and jewelry. Hattie Marie strongly believed in Acts 20:35, “…’There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.’” Hattie constantly expressed her love to her family and friends in any way that she could whether it was monetary, providing shelter when needed, being a listening ear, and/or offering sage advice.

Hattie was preceded in death by her husband, James Porter; son Mathew Mouton; two sisters; Lillian L. Wyche and Lucille D. Stephney; and four brothers; Alex Stephney, Lloyd Stephney, Robie Stephney and Raymond Stephney Sr.

Hattie Marie Porter leaves to cherish her memories, the love of her life, Flenard Grisby; Step-children (Makeba, Flenard II, Dara, and Omar Grisby and Anna Sykes) and their families; A host of Nieces and Nephews (Rhoda Robinson, Reba and Alecia Stephney, Pstr Maurice Jones; Raymond Jr. and Otis Stephney; Sessia, Odell Sr., Vic, Sandy, Gery Sr, Aqurnette, Leslie, and Gordwin Sr. Wyche and Yvonne Denmon) and their families; God-children (Tony Wilson, Yarmaine Patterson, Charles and Arthur Bryant, Monica Alexander, and Tammy Moore); special mention to Cheryl Owens and Dorothy “Liz” Tucker-Scott along with many other extended relatives’ and friends.