LULA DOLORES PORTER

Lula Dolores Porter was the only child born to Charlie and Mable Johnson on March 29, 1925 in Vicksburg, Mississippi.  On Friday, January 22, 2021 Lula was called home to be with the Lord and took her wings

Lula received her formal education at Cherry Street Junior High and went on to Magnolia High School, both in Vicksburg, Mississippi.

She was no stranger to hard work. As a young girl she worked for her mother in a restaurant in the early morning hours before going to school.  She later relocated to San Diego, California in 1944.

In 1961 Lula meet Merle W. Porter and married the love of her life. They had one son, Kevin J. Porter, and in this blessed union became a second Mom to five additional boys.

She was an entrepreneur and had several businesses with the most popular being the Sportsman Dining & Dancing Club in Valencia Park where she brought famous entertainers to San Diego. Noting such performers as Sir Lady Java, Cannonball Adderley, Archie Bell and the Drells, Bobby Blue Bland, Mr. Clean, Speedy Duncan, Ken Norton, Richard (Shaft) Roundtree, Muhammad Ali, and her personal favorite, Al Green for his 1st appearance in San Diego.  Lula later became co-owner and ran Picador Liquor & Deli in San Ysidro.

At 64 years young, when many hope to retire. Lula embarked on a new career and opened the San Diego Community Treatment Center in downtown San Diego, answering her dream to help others in a meaningful way.  She accomplished this and so much more by helping thousands of men suffering from substance abuse, with a 21-day treatment program, an alternative to jail and a new lease on life.  Lula ran this successful program for 19 years from 1989 to 2008 and earned the respect, admiration and trust of those she helped, her colleagues, friends and family. This dedication earned her a reputation from San Diego to Sacramento and inspired many with her power and class although Lula described herself as “ just a Little ole’ Lady” and was affectionally known as “The Eradicator’ due to her style and poise that enabled her to keep more than 50 men in line daily.  Lula also provided stable employment to many residents of the community until closing in 2008.

Lula enjoyed going to the Casino and never missed a Tina Turner or Al Green concert with her Road Dog, Shirley Wallace.

Lula was a Christian who loved the Lord and would do whatever she could to lend a helping hand to those in need.  This love of Christ motivated her to organize services at the Treatment Center every Sunday.

In her later years, Lula or Mother Porter or Ms. Lula as she was affectionately known, began attending and joined Christian Life Center of Spring Valley under the prayerful watch of Bishop Blair Holloway.

She was a Civic Leader, Wife, Mother, Grandmother and Friend who will be greatly missed but never forgotten. Lula was preceded in death by her parents Charlie and Mable Johnson, her loving husband, Merle W. Sr. and sons Calvert J., and Michael W.

She leaves to cherish her memories, sons Kevin J. (Bridgett) Porter, Myron D. (Jocelyn), Merle W. Jr. (Helen), Marshall J.O. all of San Diego, California. She leaves a special granddaughter Kache’ M, one Aunt, Nora Donahoo, one cousin, Kay Francis Carroll, 13 grandchildren and a host of great-grandchildren, family members and friends.

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