Inez R. (Porter) Stanton

WILLIAMSPORT - Inez R. Stanton, 84, passed away at her home in Ridgeley, West Virginia on February 24, 2018.  Inez was born in Williamsport on February 15, 1934, to the late Mabel Emma Fitzgerald Porter and William A. Porter.  She was the wife of the late Melvin O. Stanton and was predeceased in death by brothers William, George and Anthony Porter and sister J. Marlyne Whaley.  Inez is survived by one brother, Vernon Porter of Williamsport and three daughters, Lisa I. Hart of Cartega, Costa Rica, Tammie Hart-Smith (John) of Ridgeley, West Virginia and Andrea Williams (Richard) of Williamsport.  She is also survived by five grandchildren, Harry (Rebecca), Jamal and Domnique Thomas, all of Williamsport, Chioke Hart-Kelly (Ellen) of Tempe Arizona and Sherri (Justin) Depasqua of Dillsburg and two great-grandchildren, Anslee and Ambrose Depasqua of Dillsburg.

Inez was educated in the Williamsport Area School system and graduated from Williamsport Area High School in 1952.  While in high school, Inez was active in numerous sports, often times playing alongside the boys in community pick-up games.  During her younger years, Inez was active in the Bethune Douglass Community Center where she participated in the fine arts programs directed by her mentor, Alyce D. Woody and she was an editor proof reader for a magazine, The Newsletter.  Inez was also a Girls Scouts Leader and active in the church.  In October 2017, Inez was presented the Alyce D. Woody Award at the P.D. Mitchell Annual Awards Banquet for her past service of working with youth at the center.

After high school, Inez became the first black employee of Grit Publishing Company when she was hired as a secretary.  She retired from the Lycoming County Housing Authority with 30 years of service as an executive secretary.  Inez was a lifetime member of Nancy Wiley Wilson Temple #1036 and member of Keystone Past Daughter Rulers Council.  As a member of Nancy Wiley Wilson Temple #1036, Inez held numerous officers’ positions to include secretary, financial secretary and daughter ruler.  As a member of Keystone Past Daughter Rulers Council, she was past state president.  Inez was formerly a long-time active member of the Williamsport Music Club and she was the church secretary for Maple Street A.M.E. Zion Church for a number of years before becoming a member of First Church United Methodist in Williamsport.

Friends may pay their respect on Thursday, March 8, 2018 during visitation from 7 – 9 p.m. at Maneval Allen Redmond Cremation & Funeral Home, 500 West 4th St., Williamsport and Friday, March 9, 2018, 8:45 – 9:45 a.m. at First Church on the corners of Ross and Market Streets.  Celebration of Life will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 9, 2018 at First Church.  Burial will follow in Twin Hills Memorial Park, Muncy.  There will be an Elk’s Memorial Service held 8:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Mountain Hospice, 1002 South Crim Ave., Belington, WV 26250.

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