EDWARD DANIEL PORTER JR.

Edward Daniel Porter Jr., "Eddie," devoted husband, loving son, faithful brother and friend to so many, entered into his eternal rest on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019.

Born on Dec. 14, 1965, in Sumter, he was a son of Edna Best Porter and the late Edward Daniel Porter Sr. He was employed by Scott Will Toyota. To know Eddie was to love him, and he knew everyone. He was an active member of his church, Crosswell Baptist, and was very active civically with such organizations as the Jaycees (life member, district director, executive secretary, Palmetto Corps and JCI Senate), Optimists (president of the Sumter chapter, president and charter and lifetime member of the Evening Optimists, multi-winner of the Optimist of the Year and lieutenant governor of Zone 3), Christian Golfer's Association and many others. He loved others with the heart of Christ and threw himself passionately into whatever he was involved in. A citizen of Sumter for his entire lifetime, there were fewer ambassadors of this city greater than he. He loved all things Sumter and had a provincial pride for the city that few others could challenge. A huge fan of Clemson sports, it was surely Providential that God brought him to marry an equally big Gamecock fan. Debbie was the love of his life and she exercised tremendous care for him, in sickness and in health. Even though they met later in life, they completed each other, and their marriage was a testimony to the covenantal faithfulness that God intends for matrimony to reflect.

He will be missed by so many. While we grieve for him now and the pain is very real, family and friends can be comforted by the fact that even now he is beholding the face of God in His full splendor and glory. He has been reunited with loved ones that have gone on before him and it is that same hope in Christ, that we too, will see him again one day.

Survivors include his wife, Deborah L. Porter of Sumter; his mother, Edna Best Porter of Sumter; a brother, Rob Porter (Tonya) of Clemson; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Don and Judy Murray; brother-in-law, Steven Murray (Norma) of Las Vegas; nephews, Austin Porter, Matthew Murray and Christian Andrade; nieces, Mary Elizabeth Porter, Katherine Porter and Wendy Andrade; and great-nephew, Eli.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday at Crosswell Baptist Church with the Rev. Charles Owens officiating. Burial will be at Sumter Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and other times at the home of his mother.

Memorials may be made to Crosswell Baptist Church, 604 Mathis St., Sumter, SC 29150.

Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements.