Betty Jean Porter-Kober passed away at Promise Hospital in Vicksburg, MS on July 5, 2020.  Betty Jean was born at home in Straight Bayou, MS on 17 April, 1938 to loving parents, Melvin James Porter and Beulah Mae McDuff-Porter.  She was the fourth of seven children and the first daughter.  Betty was raised working hard in the home and in the field picking cotton.  She was top shooter for the Redwood High School Basketball team under Coach Dorman.  In 1956, she graduated valedictorian of her class, as well as being the class secretary and being elected "Miss Redwood".

Betty moved to Vicksburg and worked a number of years for South Central Bell as a telephone operator for "long distance", before they went dial.  She was always hardworking and held down many different jobs in her life, from running the bandsaw on the Westinghouse factory floor to enumerating the 1970 census for a section of Catahoula Parish, Louisiana.  She retired from working the front desk at River Region Medical Center.

Betty was well known for her faith.  She passed away with absolute confidence in God's Kingdom.  She was a devoted member of Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses  for over 50 years.  Betty was known for her sterling qualities of generosity, self-sacrifice, justice, integrity, compassion and hard work.  She had a tender spot for children and always made time for them.  Her hobbies were reading mystery novels, tending her flowers, and ancestry research.  She also  loved travel, dancing and learning new things.  Betty Jean so loved her brothers and sisters, her family and friends.  It was always a kick to see all those brothers and sisters together talking and laughing.  She was a special gift to us all and her loss will always be felt.

Betty Jean is predeceased by her beloved parents, Melvin  James Porter and Beulah Mae McDuff-Porter; brothers, James Duane "Sonny Boy" Porter and William Rodney "Bill" Porter; one niece, Terry Jean Nappier and one nephew, Rodney Porter.

She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Robert Kober, Sr.; a son, Robert Kober, Jr.; a daughter, Sandra Lynn Taylor (Jeff); granddaughter, Andrea Janean Lowery (Thomas); great granddaughter, Veronica Lowery; two brothers, Terrell Jean "Ted" Porter and Melvin James Porters, Jr., both of Valley Park, MS; two sisters, Ella Sue Embry (Ray) and Vince Lucille Wooley (Thomas).

The family wishes to offer their genuine appreciation for the attentive care of Dr. Morgan Caulfield of "Promise Hospital" of Vicksburg, MS and all the staff, who so kindly tended to Betty's needs in her final days.  Please know that your work, care and concern meant so much to Betty and to her family to whom she meant the world.