JoAnn Wallace Porter
JoAnn Wallace Porter passed away peacefully on April 20, 2026, at the age of 95 at Woodlands Post Acute (formerly The Waters of Clinton) in Clinton.
She was born Jan. 30, 1931, in Anderson County to Glenn and Myrtle Wallace. Her family lived in the Andersonville and Clinton areas, where she attended Glen Alpine Elementary School and graduated from Norris High School in 1949. JoAnn married her husband, Ralph, on May 16, 1953, and they were residents of Norris for more than 67 years.
She was a member of Bethel Baptist Church, where she was a longtime member of the Willing Workers Sunday School Class. She enjoyed gardening, canning, sewing, and watching University of Tennessee sports and Atlanta Braves baseball. JoAnn was known as an excellent cook and baker. She loved attending her grandchildren’s dance and sporting events, and nothing brought a smile faster than seeing her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Wally and Kay Porter of Clinton; daughter, Penny (Porter) Crabtree of Clinton; grandchildren, Samuel G. Porter and wife, Susan, of Signal Mountain, Aaron K. Porter and wife, Lynnsey, of Jefferson City, Kaylee (Crabtree) Keck and husband, Tyler, of Norris, and Rachel (Crabtree) Harris and husband, Logan, of Morristown; great-grandchildren, Addison and Emily Porter, Elearie, Ilah and Jett Porter, Kasen and Kamden Keck, and much anticipated Harper June Harris; niece, Melanie (McWane) Grant and husband, David, and their sons, Jack and Andrew; brother-in-law, Robert Porter; nephew Tommy; nieces, Tammy, Carol (Porter) Long and Susan (Porter) Bowling; and great-nieces and great-nephews.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 67 years, Ralph Dean Porter; parents, Glenn and Myrtle Wallace; father-in-law, J.D. Porter and wife, Ilah; sister, June McWane and husband, Luke; brothers-in-law, Vaughn Porter, Gordon Porter, David Porter and wife, Betty; sister-in-law, Beverly Porter; son-in-law, Richie Crabtree; and granddaughter, Rebecca Crabtree.
The family would like to give special thanks to the staff at Meadow View Senior Living, Shalom Hospice, and The Waters of Clinton for their thoughtful care.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of JoAnn to the Norris Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 1090, Norris, TN 37828. Checks may be made payable to “Citizens in Support of Norris Police and Fire” or “CSNPF.”
The family received friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, April 27, 2026, at Holley-Gamble Funeral Home. The funeral followed. A graveside service was held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at Norris Memorial Gardens.
Holley-Gamble Funeral Home of Clinton is in charge of arrangements.
hollygamble.com
