Mary Frances Portis was born on June 2, 1942 to the late Gretis and Carrie Nobles in Coffeeville, Alabama. She was the sixth child of twelve children. Mary Frances confessed Christ at an early age at Cedar Point Baptist Church in West Bend, Alabama. She later became a member of Smith Memorial A.M.E. church where she faithfully served for over 40 years. She attended and graduated from Clarke County Training High School in Coffeeville, Alabama. After High School, she relocated to Mobile, Alabama. There she met and married Johnny C. Portis. They were married for over 50 years and were blessed with two children. She began working for Mobile County Public School System and was a dedicated employee for over 20 years. Mary Frances was called home on June 30, 2021 at Thomas Hospital in Fairhope, Alabama. She was preceded in death by her parents, Gretis and Carrie Powe Nobles, a loving husband, Johnny C. Portis, her brothers, Gretis Nobles Jr. and George Earl Nobles, and sister, Williean Williams. She leaves to cherish her memories with two children, Adrianne Portis and Lorenzo (Paula) Portis of Loxley, Alabama, four grandchildren, Adrianna (Jouquan) Austin, Donovan Portis, Camryn Portis, and Aiden Caruthers of Loxley, Alabama, two great-grandchildren, Brailyn Austin and Zoey Austin of Loxley, Alabama, five sisters, Charliean Kiel of Detroit Michigan; Lela Lewis of Clairmont, California; Rachel Everage of Fontana, California, Adlaide (James) Roberts of Mobile, Alabama; Harriet Nobles of Eight Mile, Alabama, three brothers, Percy Nobles of Mobile, Alabama, Charlie Earl (Earlene) Nobles of Mobile, Alabama; Bobby Nobles of Prichard, Alabama, a dedicated niece Keyia Roper of Beulah, Florida, and a host of nephews, nieces, relatives, and friends.
1942-2021
Graveside services and internment will be held at 12:30 PM on Thursday, July 8, 2021 at Mobile Memorial Gardens.
