Rev. Dr. Kwame John R. Porter, retired clergy of the Northern Illinois Conference, passed away April 8, 2019. Rev. Porter was a well-known community activist who joined the civil rights movement with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in the 1960s. 

During his ministry in the NIC, Rev. Porter served Chicago: Christ, the Chicago Center for Black Religious Studies as Executive Director, and Chicago: Fellowship. Dr. Porter and Mrs. June C. Porter received the Bishop Jesse R. DeWitt Child Advocacy Award from United Voices for Children in 2012 for their many years as servants and advocates for youth across many venues. He was 87 years old.

Visitation will be at Leak and Sons Funeral Home, 7838 S. Cottage Grove, Chicago, IL 60619 on Friday, April 19 from 6-9 pm. 

A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, April 20 at West Point Missionary Baptist Church, 3566 S. Cottage Grove Ave., Chicago, IL 60653. The wake will be from 10-11am and the funeral will be from 11 am-1 pm. 

Interment immediately following the service will be at Oak Woods Cemetery, 1035 E 67th St, Chicago and repast will be at Lutheran School of Theology, 1100 E. 55th Street, Chicago.

Messages of condolences may be sent to:

Mrs. June Porter
1649 E. 50th St. Apt. 9E
Chicago, IL  60615