Carolyn Spencer Porter

It is with bittersweet emotions that we announce the passing of our sweet mom, grandma, great-grandma, aunt, and friend, Carolyn Porter. She passed away at the age of 95 in Cedar City, UT, on March 20, 2026.

Carolyn was born August 7, 1930, in Escalante, UT, to John Clyde and Lillie Alvey Spencer. She was the fourth of seven children. She really was a middle child. Her older siblings were J.C., Veneiece, and Marie. Her younger sisters and brother were LaFaye, Jim, and Bonnie. She grew up in a loving home where gospel principles were taught and lived. Those teachings were instilled in her and aided her throughout her life.

Her growing up years were spent amongst family and friends, in the close knit community of Escalante. Her grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins were part of her upbringing. She experienced wonderful memories of time spent with her family. She loved her parents, brothers, and sisters. She often spoke affectionately of each throughout her life.

Carolyn was a good student, and good grades were very important to her. She was chosen as the valedictorian of her 1948 graduating class and received a scholarship to Utah State University. She was popular and had many friends. She was active in student government and school clubs. She loved to dance and was known to be a very good dancer.

Mom became acquainted with Vergean Porter during her senior year of high school. Even though he, too, was from Escalante, he was four years older and had been away serving in the U.S.A. Navy during World War II. After she graduated, they became engaged and were married on September 21, 1948. Dad and Mom and their two best friends, Wayne and Venid Bailey, went to Salt Lake City and were married on the same day. They were later sealed in the St. George Temple on June 22, 1963. Together they had four children – Vergeania (1949), Kevin Lynn (1955), Slone Dee (1958), and Clint Vergean (1966).

Early on, they decided that Escalante would be their home forever. They made several moves because of Vergean’s employment. The longest stay was in Page, Arizona, for four years while the Glen Canyon Dam was being built. The family returned to their Escalante home in 1964.

Mom was the heart of our home. She was a hard-working, devoted, and dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother. Her homemaking skills were exceptional. She cooked delicious meals, baked bread, cinnamon rolls, pies, and our favorite homemade chicken noodle soup. She could make a gourmet meal out of leftovers. She was never idle. She was busy cooking, cleaning, canning, sewing, quilting, and making our home a heaven on earth. She cherished time spent with family. She worked to make each holiday, reunion, or family gathering enjoyable and memorable.

Carolyn took on various jobs to help supplement the family’s income. She worked part-time in the local grocery store and school lunch program. She served alongside Vergean in the local Lions Club, planning events and fundraising activities for the community. She and Vergean enjoyed their Sons of the Utah Pioneer friends. They loved the camping trips, picnics, and parties they had with this special group of friends. Carolyn was a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers (DUP). She held many leadership positions in this organization. She was honored to have been a member for 30-plus years.

She was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Her testimony was strong and unwavering. She served valiantly in all her church callings in her ward and stake. She was a stake and ward Young Women’s Leader and Stake and Ward Primary President. She served in various callings in the ward Relief Society. She was a faithful visiting teacher for more than 50 years.

After retirement, she and Vergean enjoyed going to the mountains to gather wood, camping, fishing, or hunting deer. They enjoyed each other's company and liked to reminisce about the good old days. She lost her husband, Vergean, after 70 years of marriage. He passed away on May 24, 2018. After his death, she moved to her daughter’s home in Summit, UT.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Clyde and Lillie Spencer, brothers, sisters, in-laws, son, Kevin Lynn Porter, son-in-law, Darryl Keith Davenport, grandson, Kasen Clint Porter, great-grandchildren, Karah Lynn Gale, Clare Porter, and Charlie Porter. She longed to be reunited with her family, and they were anxiously waiting for her return. A wonderful reunion is now taking place.

Those who will miss her dearly are her daughter, Vergeania (Darryl) Davenport, sons, Slone Dee (Veralyn) Porter, and Clint Vergean (Gaylee) Porter, daughter-in-law, Shelley (Kevin Lynn) Porter. She leaves behind 23 grandchildren, 57 great-grandchildren, with one on the way, and three great-great-grandchildren, with two on the way.

Mom had a strong, firm testimony that never faltered. Her enduring, trusting faith carried her through life’s trials. When difficulties came, she knew that if she asked in faith, the Lord and Savior would bless and strengthen her to carry on.

Mom was a beautiful person inside and out. Throughout our lives, we knew we could turn to mom or grandma to help us figure out what direction we should take. Her patience, love, understanding, and wisdom helped us to decide. She often reminded us to be true to ourselves, our values, and our dreams. Her legacy lives on in all who were blessed to know her. She will be deeply missed and will forever be remembered, and her memory will always be held in our hearts. “Her children will arise up and call her blessed” Proverbs 31:28

Special thanks to Atlas Home Health and Hospice and Three Peaks Memory Care. You have been a blessing to Mom and our entire family. Thank you for your tender loving care of her. You are like family; we will never forget the kindness and compassion you've shown, especially to our mom, but to all of us.

Funeral Services will be held Friday, March 27, 2026, at 11:00 am in the Summit Ward Chapel, 55 East Main Street. A Viewing will be held prior to services from 9:30 to 10:30 pm at the Church. Burial will be in the Escalante Cemetery at 3:00 pm. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina, and Manti. An online guestbook can be found at www.maglebymortuary.com