Born just a mile west of the old courthouse in Fayetteville a hundred years ago, Ellen Swanson Lester “Biddy” Porter has outlived two husbands, William Lester and Ken Porter, and a son, Daniel. A son, Benjamin, is still living.
Schooling was at the Masonic Lodge on Church Street, next to the Edgefield Baptist Church, where she has been a longtime member.
She was raised by her maternal grandmother, Georgia Swanson, and was the great-great-granddaughter of slaves brought from Ethiopia.
She worked for the Redwine family for 40 years, and then retired from the Fulton County school system, working in the school kitchens.
Over a hundred friends and neighbors came to extend their congratulations.
