Ann S. Porter, 84, of Williamsburg, VA, passed away in her home on April 24, 2025, surrounded by family, including her two beloved cats—Fat Cat and Bad Cat.
Born on August 11, 1940, in Richlands, VA, Ann was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and sister. Ann is survived by her husband, William (Bill) C. Porter, her daughter Kathryn (Kate) A. Rhodes (Torrey), her son Claiborne (Clay) W. Porter (Ariane), her many grandchildren—whom she adored—Maya, Sadie, and William (Will) Porter and Lily and Piper Rhodes, and her brother James (Jim) W. Smith of Bluefield, VA.
The daughter of a railroad engineer and an elementary school teacher, Ann attended Graham High School in Bluefield, VA, where she would often reminisce of her times as a cheerleader, band member—playing almost every instrument—and the thrill of seeing Little Richard live in concert. Ann graduated from Radford University with a music degree and received her Master of Fine Arts from UNC Chapel Hill. Ann went on to be a music teacher for the United States Army, teaching music all over the world—from Okinawa, Japan to Heidelberg, Germany—Ann as they say, “saw it all.” Ann returned to the United States and devoted her life to teaching music and directing choirs and musicals.
Anyone who knows Ann knows these things: Ann never met a stranger—making friends in lines to bathrooms at rest stops to doctors’ waiting rooms. Ann’s intellectual curiosity was boundless; always reading, asking questions, and trying to understand the “why.” Ann was always ready for a deep discussion. Ann’s love of music defined her and drove her—a love that she spread to everyone she met. She often said, “everyone can sing, just you watch.” And sure enough, the football player who didn’t think he could sing was singing in choir and getting a part in that year’s musical, much to the chagrin of the football coach. But above all, Ann’s passion was her music students and watching them succeed. Ann made the world better.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Bruton Parish Church in Williamsburg, VA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bruton Parish Church or the Sentara Foundation.
