JOAN M. PORTER HAMMOND, IN Joan M. Porter, age 77, of Hammond, passed away on Sunday September 9, 2012. She is survived by her daughters: Vickie (Tom) Brown and Debra Porter; grandchildren: Christopher, Nicole, Kyle, and Kyrie; great grandchildren: Haidyn and Lilly; sister, Dolores Christopher; and brothers: Charles (Dorothy) Tolson and Theodore (Madelyn) Tolson. Preceded in death by her parents: Raymond and Helen Tolson; and her husband, Cedric. Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 14, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at the Black Oak Baptist Church located at 6502 W. 25th Ave. in Gary with Pastor Robert Parnell officiating. Burial will follow at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens in Schererville. Friends may meet with the family on Thursday, September 13, 2012 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at White Funeral Home located at 921 W. 45th Ave. in Griffith. Joan was a member of the Black Oak Baptist Church. She loved gardening and working in her yard. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Calumet Area. For information, please call White Funeral Home at (219) 924-4100.