"For GOD's anger is but for a moment, His Favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, but a SHOUT OF JOY comes in the morning!" Psalm 30:5
Carol Ann Porter, of Sugar Land, Texas, left her body and went immediately into the hands of King Jesus at the age of 80 years, on Sunday, June 28, 2026.
Carol was born on January 9, 1946 in Hobbs, New Mexico, to James Robert Cummings and Othella Estelle McElrath, and later adopted by Jack Lew Giese.
Carol grew up in a military family which stationed them in various locations, including the Philippines, where she graduated high school in 1964. She worked various government jobs while overseas and eventually moved back to the United States.
She then married James Crosswhite in 1969, and they lived in various places in the world, including Sydney, Australia, where they had their first child, Catherine Nell in 1973. Two years later, they moved to Houston, Texas, where they had their second child, William Todd Ely in 1975. (Carol and Jim were divorced in 1978.) Carol raised Catherine and Todd in Houston, as she also worked full-time as a Loan Officer.
In 1980, their next-door neighbor, Loycie Faye, led Carol Ann to Salvation and she received Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior! Soon after, she and the kids started attending church regularly, driving from Alief to Downtown Houston to First United Methodist Church after hearing her favorite TV-preacher Dr. Charles Allen. Carol's greatest achievement and area of ministry was as a mother. She unconditionally loved, blessed and ministered to Catherine and Todd from the moment of their conception. And as they grew, they received Jesus!
At Christmas 1981, Carol met Stuart Thomas Porter at a mortgage company, where they worked, and they got married on September 18, 1982.
The family attended FUMC Downtown until the West Campus was built in the 1990s, and continued gathering there until its closure. Carol's love for singing to the Lord led her to serve in the worship choir for more than a decade. Carol and Stuart served active roles
She loved the Word of GOD, spent time with her Father every morning from her favorite spot, looking out the window, and was aware of His Presence continuously. She loved looking at the clouds and witnessing God's ever-changing artwork in the sky. Some notable favorite Scripture verses are Isaiah 53:5, Psalm 30:5, John 3:16, and all of Psalm 23. Her favorite movie was Ben-Hur, favorite song was How Great Thou Art, favorite color was green, favorite game was Cribbage, and favorite activities were tennis in her younger years and bowling in her latter years. Carol stopped working full-time in 1991 to take some college classes and spend more time with her kids, but was called back to the mortgage business to help her business friends in their time of need, as she was skilled in problem-solving and business-building. In 1990, the family moved to Sugar Land, Texas, where Carol and Stuart have lived up to now. In 2000, Carol, Stuart and Todd opened their first WingStop franchise in Houston, the #14 franchise nationwide and the first in Houston-Metro. They opened a total of seven WingStop franchises over the next twenty years, the last one being #2389 nationwide. They sold two franchises within the years; plus, ventured with a seafood restaurant. Carol was an entrepreneur in her core. She served as a mentor to other franchise owners as they got started, organized the Houston Advertising Co-op, and was invited to be a pioneer-member of the Franchise Advisory Council as WingStop Restaurants expanded beyond Texas. She was awarded the "Multi-Unit Operator of the Year", and later, received a "Lifetime Achievement Award". Carol was over-joyed when she became a grandmother in 2018 to Samuel Thomas Ely Crosswhite. And over the past several years, Carol and Stuart traveled to various places around the world. After Jesus, Carol Ann's heart's treasures are her husband and babies, all of whom were present when she breathed her last breath at 12:40am on 6-28-26. As she would say, "My birthday is the same year as my birth!": 1-9-46; and she has pretty cool numbers in her Home-going date too: 62826! Carol is survived by her husband Stuart Porter; her daughter Catherine; her son Todd and daughter-in-law Kate; her grandson Samuel; her sister-in-law Vickie; nieces, nephews, and many cousins. Carol's transition into Heaven is preceded by her step-father, father, mother, and both brothers. Our family would like to express the deepest gratitude to every single person who contended in prayer for Carol's life over the past 14 months, and especially thanks to sisters Marriette and Amanda who cared for and served Carol and Stuart for the past 10 months beyond the capacity of their job. And we honor the pallbearers who said yes. Carol was created for such a time as her-now and we honor her legacy! Heavenly Father, may The Comforter fill the void in our lives where our blessed and beloved wife and mommie dwelled, in Jesus' Name. Carol's Celebration of Life Services will be held on Thursday, July 2nd at First United Methodist Church—West Campus, Hinson Chapel: 10570 Westpark Drive, Houston, Texas 77042. Visitation with Family is at 10:00am and the Service is at 11:00am. A private Burial Service will be held afterwards in Richmond, Texas. At the request of the family, please donate to First United Methodist Church in lieu of flowers. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have Eternal Life." John 3:16 "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto Righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto Salvation." Romans 10:9-10
Services
Visitation One
Thu. Jul. 2, 2026
10:00 am
First United Methodist Church - Westchase
10570 Westpark Drive
Houston , TX 77042.
Funeral Service
Thu. Jul. 2, 2026
11:00 am
First United Methodist Church - Westchase
10570 Westpark Drive
Houston , TX 77042.
First United Methodist Church - Westchase
Houston , TX 77042.
First United Methodist Church - Westchase
Houston , TX 77042.
Houston , TX 77042.
Houston , TX 77042.
"For GOD's anger is but for a moment, His Favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, but a SHOUT OF JOY comes in the morning!" Psalm 30:5
Carol Ann Porter, of Sugar Land, Texas, left her body and went immediately into the hands of King Jesus at the age of 80 years, on Sunday, June 28, 2026.
Carol was born on January 9, 1946 in Hobbs, New Mexico, to James Robert Cummings and Othella Estelle McElrath, and later adopted by Jack Lew Giese.
Carol grew up in a military family which stationed them in various locations, including the Philippines, where she graduated high school in 1964. She worked various government jobs while overseas and eventually moved back to the United States.
She then married James Crosswhite in 1969, and they lived in various places in the world, including Sydney, Australia, where they had their first child, Catherine Nell in 1973. Two years later, they moved to Houston, Texas, where they had their second child, William Todd Ely in 1975. (Carol and Jim were divorced in 1978.) Carol raised Catherine and Todd in Houston, as she also worked full-time as a Loan Officer.
In 1980, their next-door neighbor, Loycie Faye, led Carol Ann to Salvation and she received Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior! Soon after, she and the kids started attending church regularly, driving from Alief to Downtown Houston to First United Methodist Church after hearing her favorite TV-preacher Dr. Charles Allen. Carol's greatest achievement and area of ministry was as a mother. She unconditionally loved, blessed and ministered to Catherine and Todd from the moment of their conception. And as they grew, they received Jesus!
At Christmas 1981, Carol met Stuart Thomas Porter at a mortgage company, where they worked, and they got married on September 18, 1982.
The family attended FUMC Downtown until the West Campus was built in the 1990s, and continued gathering there until its closure. Carol's love for singing to the Lord led her to serve in the worship choir for more than a decade. Carol and Stuart served active roles
in their Sunday School class and built blessed friendships. Carol served as a Stephen Minister for several years and later became the Ministry Leader. She joined Catherine in pioneering a health and wellness Bible-study program and book club for four years, helping her daughter launch into her calling. Carol Ann was a faithful confidant, well-trusted with matters of the heart, and she has led many souls to Salvation over the course of her lifetime!
She loved the Word of GOD, spent time with her Father every morning from her favorite spot, looking out the window, and was aware of His Presence continuously. She loved looking at the clouds and witnessing God's ever-changing artwork in the sky. Some notable favorite Scripture verses are Isaiah 53:5, Psalm 30:5, John 3:16, and all of Psalm 23. Her favorite movie was Ben-Hur, favorite song was How Great Thou Art, favorite color was green, favorite game was Cribbage, and favorite activities were tennis in her younger years and bowling in her latter years.
Carol stopped working full-time in 1991 to take some college classes and spend more time with her kids, but was called back to the mortgage business to help her business friends in their time of need, as she was skilled in problem-solving and business-building.
In 1990, the family moved to Sugar Land, Texas, where Carol and Stuart have lived up to now.
In 2000, Carol, Stuart and Todd opened their first WingStop franchise in Houston, the #14 franchise nationwide and the first in Houston-Metro. They opened a total of seven WingStop franchises over the next twenty years, the last one being #2389 nationwide. They sold two franchises within the years; plus, ventured with a seafood restaurant. Carol was an entrepreneur in her core. She served as a mentor to other franchise owners as they got started, organized the Houston Advertising Co-op, and was invited to be a pioneer-member of the Franchise Advisory Council as WingStop Restaurants expanded beyond Texas. She was awarded the "Multi-Unit Operator of the Year", and later, received a "Lifetime Achievement Award".
Carol was over-joyed when she became a grandmother in 2018 to Samuel Thomas Ely Crosswhite. And over the past several years, Carol and Stuart traveled to various places around the world.
After Jesus, Carol Ann's heart's treasures are her husband and babies, all of whom were present when she breathed her last breath at 12:40am on 6-28-26. As she would say, "My birthday is the same year as my birth!": 1-9-46; and she has pretty cool numbers in her Home-going date too: 62826!
Carol is survived by her husband Stuart Porter; her daughter Catherine; her son Todd and daughter-in-law Kate; her grandson Samuel; her sister-in-law Vickie; nieces, nephews, and many cousins.
Carol's transition into Heaven is preceded by her step-father, father, mother, and both brothers.
Our family would like to express the deepest gratitude to every single person who contended in prayer for Carol's life over the past 14 months, and especially thanks to sisters Marriette and Amanda who cared for and served Carol and Stuart for the past 10 months beyond the capacity of their job. And we honor the pallbearers who said yes.
Carol was created for such a time as her-now and we honor her legacy! Heavenly Father, may The Comforter fill the void in our lives where our blessed and beloved wife and mommie dwelled, in Jesus' Name.
Carol's Celebration of Life Services will be held on Thursday, July 2nd at First United Methodist Church—West Campus, Hinson Chapel: 10570 Westpark Drive, Houston, Texas 77042. Visitation with Family is at 10:00am and the Service is at 11:00am.
A private Burial Service will be held afterwards in Richmond, Texas.
At the request of the family, please donate to First United Methodist Church in lieu of flowers.
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have Eternal Life." John 3:16
"If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto Righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto Salvation." Romans 10:9-10
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