John Henry Portress was born in Coweta County January 19, 1927 to the late Jerrylean Brown  and John Henry Portress, Sr.  Early on he pursued the path of righteousness by joining the New Hope Baptist Church.  Growing up in Grantville, he attended and graduated from Grantville Training School May 23, 1947.  Prior to graduation he entered the Armed Services where he served from November 1945 – November 26, 1946.

 

 

After serving in the Military he then returned to Grantville and entered into Holy Matrimony with Alice Thelma Trammell.  He was a dedicated husband and father always working beginning at Grantville Mills for approximately ten years and later retiring from the William L. Bonnell Company after a thirty-two year tenure.

 

 

He joined the Greater Jehovah Baptist Church where he served faithfully as a deacon and chairman of Trustee Board until his health failed him.

 

 

He was preceded in death by siblings Mrs. Katie Ruth Mays, Mrs. Lucille Tucker, Mrs. Ollie Hamilton and Mrs. Frankie Blackman.

 

 

He is survived by a loving wife of sixty-three years, Alice.  She was a wonderful and caring companion until his demise; four sons, Henry, Anthony, Richard and Ronald; three daughters-in-law, Thelma, Patricia and Mary; thirteen granchildren, Terrance, Dedric, Tony, Anthony, Letatia, Keisa, Nathan, Alden, Lindsey, Brooke, Timothy, Alex and Alexis.  He is also mourned by his brother, Anderson Portress, the only remaining sibling; brothers-in-law, Gus  Trammell (Bonnell), Rev. Raleigh Trammell (Ann); sisters-in-law, Dorothy Shy (Ray) and Margaret Byars; and a host of relatives and friends.