Mary Ellen Porter, 90, passed away Friday, August 26, 2022, at her daughter’s home in Kansas City, MO. She was born March 20, 1932, in Pampa, TX to Herbert Beryl and Jessie Isabel (Bowker) Barker. She was a 1950 graduate of Pampa High School, later earning her B.A. Education at Wayland Baptist College and M.S. Library Science at UMKC. Mary Ellen married Lynn Neil Porter on February 12, 1955, in Pecos, TX. She spent her working life as an elementary school teacher and school librarian for more than 40 years. Mary Ellen was an active member of First Baptist Church of Platte City, MO, where she served as a Sunday school teacher and in the preschool ministry. In the past, she also served as music director for Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, and Tracy (MO) Baptist Church. Mary Ellen enjoyed collecting VHS movies, sewing, cooking, and baking her annual fruitcakes for the holidays. In the late 70’s she and her parents visited Oberammergau, Rome, Jerusalem, and Cairo. Years later, she and members of her church flew to Belarus with suitcases full of Bibles, as the USSR did not allow shipments of Bibles, but did allow passengers one suitcase. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and a daughter, Katy Cook. Mary Ellen is survived by her sons Mark (Ann) Porter of Lee’s Summit, MO, Brad (Mary) Porter of Bonne Terre, MO, and Clay (Debbie) Porter of Riverside, MO; her daughters Leah (Bob) Pease of K.C., MO, and Elisabeth Putman of Richmond, MO; her son-in-law Richard Cook of Edwardsville, KS; 21 grandchildren; and 20 great grandchildren. A visitation will be held 10:00 – 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 31, 2022, at Rollins Funeral Home in Platte City, MO; followed by an 11:00 a.m. funeral service. Interment will follow at the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Weston, MO. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to a charity of your choice.