By Bobbie Gaspard
From Mat/gen website
www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~txmatago/
Vance Coralton Porter was born near Hillsboro, Laurence County, Alabama, on October 13, 1888.
He was the eldest son of Robert Lee Porter, Sr., and Rose Ella Le May Porter.
His early education was provided by tutors who lived in the homes of the several families whose children were taught. In 1906, he entered Alabama Polytechnic Institute (Auburn) at Auburn, Alabama, where he was graduated in 1910 as a certified electrical engineer.
In 1913, he made the decision to make Bay City his permanent home, and went to work for the electrical department of the Texas Public Service Company.
Until he moved his mother to Bay City from Alabama, he lived in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Marenus Moll.
In May, 1916, he entered the United States Army as a Second Lieutenant and served at the Mexican border under General Pershing’s command.
During World War I, he served in France, Belgium, and Germany.
Captain Porter was discharged from the 131st Machine Gun Battalion, First Division, in 1919, and returned to Bay City where he worked for Central Power and Light Company, formerly Texas Public Service Company.
In 1925 he became District manager of CP&L’s Rice Belt District. His career spanned 35 years.
On May 2, 1922, Vance married Tennie Mae Benge of Bay City, and they bought a home at 2500 Avenue H.
Courtesy of Bobbie Gaspard, Joan Gaspard and Patrick Porter
Nine years later, they purchased the Benge family property and moved to 2500 Avenue E.
Vance and Tennie were affiliated with the First Methodist Church where he was an active member of the Wesley Bible Class and she was a member of the Gleaners Class.
Tennie was Superintendent of the Junior Sunday School Department for 15 years.
Vance was active with the Chamber of Commerce, was a charter member of the Rotary Club, was a member of the American Legion, and served on the Bay City School Board for 19 years. He was also a Mason, an avid sportsman, and often included his family in outdoor activities.
Tennie was a charter member of the Chautauqua Club, and both parents were involved in their children’s school activities.
Vance died on June 23, 1950 and Tennie died on October 3, 1971; both were buried in Cedarvale Cemetery.
Their daughter, Bobbie LeMay was born in Bay City.
She was graduated from Bay City High School in 1940, attended Texas Christian University for two years, and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology from Lamar University in Beaumont.
After 1961, she taught school in Port Arthur, Beaumont, Nederland and Sweeny.
She married Roy Bill Thomason of Centerville, Texas, during World War II and had a daughter, Elizabeth Joan.
They were divorced in 1944.
In 1945 Bobbie and Melvin William Sander of Bellville were married and a daughter, Joyce Ann, was born on Aug. 23, 1945. Melvin died in 1950 and was buried in Cedarvale Cemetery. After his death, Bobbie and the two children returned to Bay City to make their home with her parents.
On Dec. 23, 1952, Bobbie and Clifford Joseph Gaspard, born on Dec. 7, 1925, at Fig Ridge, Texas, were married.
A veteran of the United States Navy, Clifford was an employee in the Production Department of Texaco, Inc., and after six weeks they moved from Bay City.
C.J. adopted Joan and Joyce and in 1956, he and Bobbie adopted a son, Gregg Porter Gaspard.
After living way from Bay City for 26 years, the Gaspards returned and resided in the Porter family home at 2500 Avenue E.
They were members of the First United Methodist Church.
Vance Benge Porter was born on Sept. 22, 1926.
He was an Eagle Scout, the second in Matagorda County; a graduate of Bay City High School, and served as an Ensign in the United States Navy during World War II.
In 1947 he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering from Texas A&M University.
His work experience included work for major oil companies which called for residence in many parts of America.
In 1955 he married Mary Ann Welch of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They were the parents of Vance Timothy, Robert Patrick, Maurene Rose, Andrew John and John Benge.
Vance retired from Mobil Oil Company on Dec. 31, 1984, and died on July 15, 1998 in Denver, Colorado.
Historic Matagorda County, Volume II, pages 412-413