Dr. Lee Ernest Porterfield, age 88, of Birmingham, Alabama passed away Wednesday morning, May 17, 2023, in Jefferson County, Alabama.
He was born in Birmingham on January 25, 1935, to the late Gussie and Harrison Porterfield. He was one of three children born from this union. Ernest was a family-oriented man who lived a very simple and quiet life. One of his core beliefs was maintaining a state of peace
and creating tranquility in one's daily life. These were keys to his existence that allowed him to accomplish his goals and maintain strong family bonds.

Ernest served in the United States Army from 1954-1957 and received an honorable discharge. He was a graduate of Lewis Elementary and A.H. Parker High School. He obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree from Tuskegee University, Master of Science Degree from Atlanta University and his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. His spiritual home was Sixth Avenue Baptist Church where he committed his life to serving others.

Ernest's career path led him to provide shelter, employment opportunites, and legal services to those dealing with substance abuse issues in the metropolitan area.

He is survived by: his loving wife of 66 years, Jean Ryce Porterfield; three sons, Jeffrey (Barbara), Jerald, and Jerome; proud granddaddy of Jay Harrison, Chad M., Jordan, and Joshua and Jeremy C. Reynolds; one granddaughter, Jaylen. He was blessed with three great-
grands, Gabrielle, Brentley, and Lillian Quinn, courtesy of Jeremy; Lee Ernest also leaves one sister-in-law, Elizabeth (James) Bell; one brother-in-law, Maurice Ryce; two cousins, Plummie Crenshaw and Gwendolyn Walls; and several nieces, nephews, and friends.

"Death is an ending to the son of the earth, but to the soul it is the start, the triumph of Life."

Kahlil Gibram