Cochran – George Vernon Porter, 90, passed away on March 30, 2026. Visitation will take place Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at Mathis Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 2, 2026, at 12:00 P.M. at Trinity Episcopal Church in Cochran, with burial in Orange Hill Cemetery in Hawkinsville.

George was born July 9, 1935, in Bainbridge, Decatur County, Georgia to Vernon Smith "Buster" Porter and Alice Margaret Carter. George was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Alyce Porter (Hal) Haddock, his brother Carter Smith Porter, his first wife, Alice Faye Porter, his stepson, Michael Chance Horne, and his son-in-law Kelly Belflower.

George is survived by his wife of 52 years, Mary Sue Chance of Cochran. Together, George and Mary Sue had a blended family of kids - Lisa (Paul) Tuck of Williamsburg, Virginia, Tina (Doug) Thomas of St. Simons Island, Georgia, Carter (Kristy) Porter of New Haven, Connecticut, and Deborah Belflower of Roddy, Georgia.

The beautiful life he had granted him ten grandchildren: Tori Belflower, Lena (Dustin) White, Don Thomas, Christina Thomas, Wes Tuck, Caroline (Casey) Garvin, Shane Porter, Zachary Porter, Lexi Grace Porter, and Dylan Porter. Some of his amazing grandchildren blessed him with six great-grandchildren: Cooper, Marci, Emerson, Palmer, Slayter, and Charlie. George was always super proud of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

George was an eccentric and proud man who believed in always doing the right thing. He was an accomplished athlete in his high school years in Bainbridge. An avid sports fan, he enjoyed refereeing later in life football games for 25 years. George retired from Huber in 1991 after a 29-year career. His retired life led him to become Mayor of Cochran and later obtain his priesthood as an Episcopal Priest where he was lovingly referred to as Father George.

He was also an avid musician, often could be found singing karaoke in his pool house with family or sitting by the pool during summer playing the ukulele and singing. Music was an important piece of his life, and he loved to listen to all genres of music. George was proud to be an American and was verbal about his patriotism. Many of his afternoons during the Fourth of July was spent turning up the speakers at the pool house with American band marches to celebrate.

Some of George's fondest memories were those of family gathering at the home to swim, sing karaoke, and have a good time.

The Family of George Vernon Porter would like to take a moment and express their sincere gratitude for the team at Heartland EMS, the staff at Bleckley Memorial Hospital, Beth Berryhill, John Roland, and the Georgia Hospice Care team for taking care of George this one last time. Thank you to Mathis Funeral Home for going above and beyond in aiding us during this time.

George was a magnificent man and lived an extraordinary life. Please help us celebrate his life.