Shirley Zella Porter Fourmentin

Shirley Zella Porter Fourmentin was born on June 8, 1928, in Phoenix, Arizona, to Herbert Lafayette Sutton, a WWI veteran, and Zula Hester Sutton. Raised by her aunt and uncle, Ellard and Lizzy Murry, alongside her sister Mary Sutton Bennett, Shirley was a true pioneer. At age 12, she began farming with a team of grey mules after traveling from Oklahoma to Lordsburg, New Mexico, in a covered wagon. She was happiest on horseback or in her garden and continued farming, ranching, and gardening for over 50 years on the northern plateau of the Llano Estacado in Quay County, New Mexico.

Shirley married W.E. (Punk) Porter in 1947, and together they ranched south of San Jon. Shirley had a profound appreciation for the land, its resources, and the importance of health. She embraced natural remedies and holistic practices, studying nutrition and reflexology to help others. She passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Tuesday morning, September 24th. Shirley is survived by her daughter Debbie Porter Tillman of Amarillo, niece Shirley Jean Dugey (Tom) of Phillipsburg, NJ, Raina Tillman Hornaday of Austin, and Jason and Macy Tillman of Amarillo, along with four great-grandchildren: Nathan, Hannah, Jack, and Holly Quinn Hornaday. She was preceded in death by her husband Punk, her daughter Cindy Porter Ford and son-in-law Leland Tillman all of San Jon. Memorials may be sent to the First Baptist Church of San Jon.

Shirley will be laid to rest at Pleasant Valley Cemetery, south of San Jon, on Monday, September 30th, at 10:30 a.m. Her legacy of resilience, love for her family, and dedication to her land will live on through all who knew her.