“Ellenora” Sarah (Richards) Portwood

Born Sarah Ellen Aurelia Richards, “Ellenora” as she was known by all, passed away Tuesday, June 29, 2021, at the age of 92.

Ellenora was born May 16, 1929 in St. Charles, Missouri to Lloyd and Sarah (Phoebus) Richards. She married Jackson Rodgers Portwood on August 3, 1950 at First Church of the Open Bible, and they celebrated 60 years together. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Ellenora graduated from Lincoln High School in Des Moines and went on to graduate from Open Bible College. She attended Southtown Pentecostal Assembly, and later attended Glad Tidings Assembly of God. Ellenora was a sweet and giving person, serving the Lord all of her life. She was a Sunday school teacher, PTA mother, and Camp Fire Girls leader. Her family was her pride and joy, and all the grandchildren and great-grandchildren loved going to Grandma’s house. She was truly the care giver of her family and a kind and loving soul who loved the Lord.

Ellenora had two daughters, Kathleen Ellen (Dennis) Andrews and Cynthia Marie Mauro; eight grandchildren, Allen Mauro, Vanessa Andrews, Bobby (Heather) Mauro, Alyssa (Kenney) Youngblood, Adam Mauro, Cynthia Mauro, Karissa Andrews, Heidi (Alex) Berndt; eleven great-grandchildren, Townes Hutzell, Slater Mauro, Breelie Mauro, Rocco Mauro, Jackson Mauro, Romana Youngblood, Lilyann Mauro, Kensington Youngblood, Lucy Mauro, Weston Berndt, and Lylah Housh; and numerous nieces, nephews, other extended family and many friends.

Ellenora was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Jackson Rodgers Portwood; her parents, Lloyd Lynch and Sarah Agnes Richards; her siblings, Mary Alice (Don) AuBuchon, Lloyd Delbert (Mary Jane) Richards, Herbert (Barbara) Richards, and Bonnie Joan (Lowell) Simmons; and her beloved grandson, Allen Mauro.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., with funeral service at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 6, 2021 at Glad Tidings Assembly of God, 314 E. Army Post Rd., Des Moines. Burial will take place at Sunset Memorial Gardens after the funeral, followed by a reception at the church.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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