Lynda Lue (Allen) Porter was born on May 22, 1961 in Payson, UT as the only daughter to Vernon Earnest and Mary Lucille (Nay) Allen after they had suffered the loss of three still boys and were delighted to have a daughter. Lynda attended Peeteeneet Elementary School and Payson middle school in Payson, UT. She graduated from Payson High School where she participated in Girls State American Legion Auxiliary, a program aimed at helping young women develop civic responsibility and leadership skills. Lynda had fond memories of her time forming and running mock governments, mock elections, and mock trials.

After graduation she attended Southern Utah University in Cedar City, UT where she earned a bachelor's degree in early childhood education. She later earned an associate's degree at Utah Valley University in early childhood education and a Diploma in Christian Ministries from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary. She had a genuine love for children that shone through in all she did. You could always find her preparing a lesson, activity for the kids, sitting on the floor playing games with them, or holding the little ones.

David Porter and Lynda met while square dancing and throughout their courtship enjoyed square dancing, hiking, site-seeing, and bible studies. They were married in June 1989 in Provo, Utah where they had a beautiful ceremony and reception in the backyard of what would become their home of 35 years.

For David and Lynda's 2-year wedding anniversary, they spent six weeks in Europe exploring England, Scottland, Germany, and Italy. Lynda always gave David a hard time about "abandoning" her at Victoria Station when arriving in England. They got off the train but didn't know where the motel was. Instead of dragging all the luggage through the city, David suggested that Lynda wait with the luggage at the train station while he found the motel and would come back for her. It didn't take too long to track down the motel, but Lynda didn't let that stop her from teasing him.

They went to East Berlin to Check Point Charley, the only point of access between East and West Germany before the Berlin Wall came down. They enjoyed site-seeing and touring Edinburgh, Scottland. Their favorite part of this trip was visiting Mars Hill, the Colosseum and the Forum in Rome, Italy. They took several lectured tours and relished in the histories of these areas.

Lynda's love for family history took them to visit Salem, Massachusetts; Marietta, Ohio; Brush, Colorado; and Osborn, Stillwater, & Karwin, Kansas. They attended many family reunions where they met and built relationships with distant relatives that she discovered in her searches. These travels and searches led to many adventures together and lots of love for their ancestors and their stories.

Lynda was an integral part of her community with her continual, selfless service and kindness. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Provo for 35 years and served there in many capacities. Her love for children drew her to the church nursery. She loved to teach the children about Jesus and of His love for them. When not in the nursery she could be found giving of her time and talents to others.

David and Lynda were both heavily involved in the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief program through their church. The first service opportunity together was at Crandall Canyon Mine in 2007 when the mine collapsed, trapping six miners. They worked with American Red Cross and the community for 2-weeks helping to feed the families of the miners and all the workers who were diligently working to get the miners out. They attended multiple training courses together and led several disaster relief training courses over the years.

Lynda's expertise in childcare allowed her the opportunity to serve the needs of children impacted by these disasters. After learning the ropes through trainings and on-the-ground efforts in Boston, St Louis, and others, Lynda worked closely with the SBDR Leaders to develop the childcare policy for the Disaster Relief program. Later she was in charge of organizing the childcare provided for the Pheonix, AZ Southern Baptist Convention.

Lynda was a Blue Hat with the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief. She would coordinate with Emergency Managers in Utah counties and with other disaster relief groups across the country to deploy service workers, arrange childcare, and provide for the needs of all those living in areas that were impacted by disaster.

When Lynda wasn't serving others, she loved to garden, scrapbook, sew, make quilts, and explore family history. At family gatherings, she was a big tease. She loved to have fun and laugh with those she held dear. In the midst of her teasing and laughing, she had a way of making sure you knew how much she loved you. There was never a question or doubt that she would be there when needed.

In 1999, Lynda was diagnosed with ovarian, uterine, and bladder cancer. She fought a tough battle with chemo treatments, radiation, and surgery to remove the cancers. She was told in May 2000 that she was cancer free. Her fight with cancer, helped shape and strengthen her testimony as she relied on and trusted in God.

After this battle with cancer, David and Lynda were unable to have biological children but they "adopted" countless children through all their service efforts, from children in the childcares she worked in, the childcares at church and through Disaster Relief, to family and friend's children who they mentored. David and Lynda hosted foreign-exchange students for about 2 years where they opened their home for students to live with them while studying in the US. This meant lots of gatherings, games, fun and busyness with college students. They continued to stay in contact with several of the foreign-exchange students throughout the years.

In September 2024, Lynda was diagnosed again with bladder cancer and a very aggressive small cell cancer of the liver. Amid the cancer, there were a variety of other challenges her body was presenting. The doctors explored all treatment options available, but her unique and complex situation left her with very limited options. She was sent home on hospice care on November 9th knowing there would come a time that she would need a blood transfusion. When that time came, options were explored but Lynda felt God had impressed upon her heart that it was not his will for her to continue to seek treatment options and she chose to cease those efforts.

Throughout the treatments, Lynda was so humble, patient, and kind to all who attended her. Despite frustrations, emotional rollercoasters, and pain, Lynda treated all her medical staff, family, and friends with love and respect. She was adamant about making sure she knew the names of each medical staff member who was helping her so she could call them by name to show her love and respect for them. Her biggest desire throughout this time was to honor God in all that she did in the hopes of bringing anyone open and willing closer to God. She was truly an example of God's love for all.

All of Lynda's efforts to find healing from the cancer was with the hope of "more time". When asked what "more time" meant to her, she said, "more time with David, more time with family, friends, and loved ones. Just more time." Lynda spent her two weeks at home welcoming all to come visit with her, to share hugs, laughter, music, prayer and testimonies. These moments were special for her and will be cherished by all who loved and supported her.

Lynda passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 28, 2024, at the age of 63. Viewing (9 am) and Celebration of Life Services (11 am) will be held on Thursday, December 5, 2024 at First Baptist Church of Provo, 1144 Columbia Lane, Provo, UT 84604.

Lynda is survived by her husband David, brother Carl (Lorraine) Allen, her in-laws Ralph (Aida) Porter, Jacqueline Benson, Jerry (Julie) Porter, and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents Vernon (Lucille) Allen; Neil Allen, brother; Dorothy (Charles) Christensen, sister-in-law and brother-in-law; Dan (Roberta) Porter, brother-in-law & sister-in-law; Keith (Beverly) Porter, brother-in-law and sister-in-law; Phyllis (Jay) Fairchild, sister-in-law and brother-in-law.

Lynda's last words to her family and friends…

"My dear family and friends, You've meant so much to me and I love you all. I've been blessed to know you. Thank you for being there and being part of my life. Always remember that God loves you. He came down in the human flesh to die for our sins. I hope all of you know this. God has been my strength through all of this. I've been places that have been hard, and paths I never thought I'd be down again, with my walk with God. Go through your grieving you need to, but remember I'm home with my Lord, Jesus. I love you all.

Lynda"

In leau of flowers and in honor of Lynda's life and legacy, please donate to the First Baptist Church of Provo Children's Nursery.

https://fbcprovo.org/giving/

to view the service for Lynda please click this link. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkTvj0nU9rVFStEywTZNh7g/live