Carol Ann James Porter passed away Wednesday, September 10, 2025, surrounded by family and friends. She was married to Dr Harry Porter Jr for 40 years, who preceded her in death in 2020.
Carol, a native of Chattanooga, graduated from City High School and held a bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She pursued a marketing career, working with Saks Fifth Avenue in Washington D.C. and Atlanta. After leaving Saks, she established her own accounting business, Independent Accounting & Business Services of Atlanta, Georgia, which she successfully ran for over 20 years.
Carol and her husband traveled extensively as part of the Rotary family and hosted foreign students in their home through the Georgia Rotary Student Program. She had a variety of interests, including a passion for golf with her favorite foursome. Carol was loving, caring and generous, as well as feisty and tenacious when she decided the occasion called for it. Her quick wit and effortless charm endeared her to so many. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends.
She is survived by her step-sons, Harry Wayne Porter (Lisa), Gaithersburg, Md., Lucien Matthews Porter (Jennifer), Flower Mound, Texas, and Robert Burton Porter, Gaithersburg, Md.; and nieces, Carrie Frances James (spouse Perry Grossman), Brookline, Mass., Emily Anne James (spouse Jeffery Moyer), Carlisle, Mass., and nephews, John Kevin James (Jennifer), Portland, Ore., Clinton M Cavett (Connie), Chattanooga, Tenn., Chad E James (Tara), Birmingham, Ala., and twin brother, Thomas Allen James, Chattanooga Tenn. Great nieces include Ella Margaret James Grossman, Talia Bess James Grossman, Sierra Teagan James, Hallie Ann James and Emmilyn Mae James. Step-grandchildren include Andrew Wade Porter (Addie), Jessica Kate Porter, Kyle Matthew Porter, Benjamin Clayton Porter and Jacob Burton Porter.
Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence E and Bess Woods James of Chattanooga, Tenn. and brother, David W James of Bedford Texas.
A memorial service will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions to the donor's favorite charity or to Chatt Foundation (formerly The Chattanooga Community Kitchen) or to the McKamey Animal Center, Chattanooga, TN.
Visit the online obituary www.heritagechattanooga.com to post tributes and share memories.
Arrangements by Heritage Funeral Home, East Brainerd Chapel
