Bobbye J. Porter was born on December 28, 1935 in Utica, Mississippi. She was the second daughter of Nellie Marie Scott Martin and Francis Marion Martin. She died on Sunday, August 19, 2018. She was preceded in death by one brother, Francis Michael Martin, both parents, Francis Marion and Nellie Scott Martin; two of her beloved children Vicky Carol Porter and Mark Steven Porter and two nephews; Francis David Sullivan and Patrick Toney. She leaves two daughters, Toni Faye Doyle of Hattiesburg and Karla Dawn Porter of Terry; one sister, Ms. Carolyn Martin Cole and two brothers; Robert Wayne Martin and Terry Lee Martin, seven grandchildren, Lace’ Spring Dunigan, Marie Nicole Dunigan, William Gage Myers, Mark Steven Porter II, Martin Andrew Porter, Alice Nico Doyle and Axel Brown Doyle and four great grandchildren, Kayla Anne Sawdy, Alicia Dakota Foster, Dadien Christopher Dunigan and Raylan Victoria Paridon, and one great great grandchild, William Jaxton Sawdy. She is also survived by three nieces; Hope Toney, Bonnie Marie Fulgham, Tori Johnson, and two nephews Rob Sullivan and Marty Martin.

“Bobbye J” as she became known, came to Natchez in the late sixties and worked as a waitress and bartender for many years before she opened “The Post House Restaurant”. She leaves many friends and acquaintances from over the years of having the pleasure of serving them. The people of Natchez and the surrounding area have been “very kind and generous” to me, she was fond of saying. “I have been blessed with a full life.”

She owned and operated the Post House Restaurant and Bobbye J’s Saloon; also was a partner in The West Bank Eatery. She was very active in tourism and was instrumental in the starting of the Balloon Race and Mardi Gras and served as president of the Natchez Restaurant chapter for three years. She served as President, Vice President and President Elect of the Mississippi Restaurant Association. She was a member of the Daughters of the America Revolution and the First Families of Mississippi.

She served as a commissioner on the Natchez Adams County Convention and Visitor Center for several years. Over the years she went on numerous trips to Washington D.C, New York, Houston, Dallas, and Chicago promoting the city of Natchez and the state of Mississippi. She won many awards over the years for her efforts. She says that she received the best award ever, the friendship of the people of Natchez.

A "Celebration of Life" to honor her will be at the Kings Tavern on Monday, September 3, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. with Brother Kevin Campbell officiating. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you contribute to the Stew Pot, Mississippi Food Bank or St. Jude Children’s Hospital or any charity of your choice.