Biography: “I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. I have shown you in every way by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Acts 20: 33-36
Louise Portrick, 98, of Charleston, South Carolina, was called home to heaven, Saturday, July 17, 2021 at Isabella Geriatric Center.
Louise was born in Charleston, South Carolina, on January 23, 1923. She was married to Henry Portrick on June 29, 1952, at Friendship Baptist Church in Harlem, New York.
Louise was known to be a feisty, hardworking woman that provided for her family the best she knew how. She grew up in the 1920s and has seen and experienced all the eras of the full black experience. From cotton fields in the great depression, the factory era, racial segregation in the south, the civil rights movement, the birth of Motown to basking in the joy of the birth of her grandchildren. After all Louise had survived through, God graced her to still be alive and well to cast her vote and
witness the election of our first black president - Barack Obama.
Louise Portrick, our family matriarch, and her husband now with the Lord Henry Portrick raised their family in the South Bronx Clermont village projects. She always had an old-time southern saying and wisdom to impart to anyone that would spend time in her room swaying in her rocking chair. Louise loved watching the Golden Girls, Law & Order, and The Haves and the Have-nots. She loved to cook and she was a GREAT cook! Louise was a very stylish lady; always adorned with makeup and a coordinated heel or sandal for her many dresses. She was a strong willing woman who always told it like it was. She may give you a hard time about getting into a tough spot but she was always there to be the savior to your hardship.
Louise was a mother to her children and known as our grandmother to the rest of us. She was strong, bold, graceful, and full of wisdom and love for us all. This is how we will all remember her.
Louise Portrick was predeceased by her daughter Sylvia Portrick, was survived by her remaining living children, her daughter, Mildred (Folami) Duncan, and her son Henry Portrick Jr & his wife Sandra Portrick. Louise leaves behind her six grandchildren and their respective spouses. Jamal & Selina Portrick, Mark Portrick, Shasta & Eric Walden, Kieshah Emmanuel Davis, Yasmeen Duncan, and Lamont Portrick. In addition, her four great-grandchildren Mark Portrick Jr, Devin Portrick, Skylar Portrick and Eric Waldon Jr.