Daniel Morris Porter, 74, of Suffolk, VA passed away at home, Saturday, May 14, 2011. Born in Newton Grove, NC, Morris was the son of the late Monzo Daniel and Rachel Raynor Porter, and was the loving husband of Sylvia Keen Porter, his wife of 51 years.

Morris was a member of Bethlehem Christian Church and The Joyce Anne Harrell Sunday School Class. He served as Deacon and held numerous positions in the church.

Morris received a BS degree from Atlantic Christian College (Barton College) an MS and PhD in Plant Pathology from NCSU. Morris retired in 1996 after 30 years of service as Director of Tidewater Research Center (USDA-Agricultural Research Service) in Holland, VA. He was the author of numerous publications and textbooks and traveled the world extensively giving lectures on Peanut Production, Diseases and Harvesting Research.

Morris is survived by his wife of 51 years, Sylvia Keen Porter of Suffolk, VA; sons and daughter-in-law, Wesley Porter and Crystal Daughtrey of Corapeake, NC, Kentley and Tracy Porter of Carrsville, VA; grandchildren, Chase and Will Porter; sisters and brother-in-law, Linda Warren of Clinton, NC, Glenda and Richard Blue of Burlington, NC; brother and sister-in-law, Nelson and Mary Porter of Newton Grove, NC.

A service celebrating Morris' life will be held Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 1 p.m. at Bethlehem Christian Church in Suffolk, VA with Rev. Reggie Warren officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery followed by a time of visitation and fellowship in the Graham Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Morris' 14 year old niece, Abigail Keen, who is awaiting a liver transplant. Donations for Abby can be made to the Children's Organ Transplant Association via their website at www.cotaforabigailk.com or to the American Parkinson's Disease Association of Hampton Roads, 4560 Princess Anne Rd., Virginia Beach, VA 23462. Condolences may be registered online at www.parrfuneralhome.com.