Paul L Porter, Sr. was the youngest male child of James Edward and Dove Zena Porter’s thirteen children. As a youngster, he played baseball and
football and he loved to go fishing. As a teenager, Paul suffered a broken leg which failed to heal properly and resulted in his having to
wear the tall orthopedic shoe that was so familiar to many of us.
After leaving the family home in Brinkley, Paul moved to Little Rock and for a brief time resided with sister, Mattie Bell. In his early
twenties, Paul later heeded Brother Leroy’s call to come out west and traveled to California. Due to better job prospects for minorities,
Paul initially worked as a welder in the shipyards of Richmond, California, then as a conductor on the fabled cable cars of San Francisco.
While still in California, Paul apprenticed as a cobbler (shoe repairman). In the late 1940s, Paul brought his new trade to Saint Louis and
he reunited with brothers Edward and Griffin Porter.
Paul married teacher and church organist Mary Frances Jones in 1950. Paul attended the Leonard Avenue Baptist Church then
transferred his membership to Mary Frances church, LaSalle United Methodist Church. At LaSalle, the children were drawn to Uncle Paul
because of his pleasant demeanor and their curiosity surrounding the large orthopedic shoe. Paul’s Shoe Repair Shop was a very
popular fixture in the Central West End area of Saint Louis. The original shop was located on Easton Avenue (later renamed Dr. Martin
Luther King Drive) for more than 35 years. Mr. Paul was a local icon and he was adored by young and old, especially youngsters who
wanted Paul to put taps on their new shoes. The shoe shop was also the place where many checkers games were played and friendly
arguments were settled by drinking an ice cold Coca-Cola.
Paul had one child, Paul L. Porter, Jr. Having done so many things in his life, Paul relished having a peaceful family life and enjoyed
phone calls with his brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, and friends.