WESTFIELD, NC (Collinstown Community) ~ Mr. Porter Garfield Jessup, 81, husband of Mrs. Doris Cooke Jessup, of Collinstown Road, Westfield, died late Friday evening, May 12, 2000, at Central Continuing Care in Mount Airy, following an extended illness.

Mr. Jessup was born in Stokes County to the late Derious Henderson (D.H.) and Rassie Cassandera Rogers Jessup.

Mr. Jessup was the retired owner and operator of Jessup Mill in the Collinstown community. The mill was built in 1910 by the community and Mr. Jessup's father was the miller. The mill operated 24 hours a day. Mr. Jessup was born in 1918 and grew up working in the mill with his father. The mill has endured floods and several natural disasters, but Mr. Jessup was able to rebuild and operate it until his health failed. The mill is on the National Register of Historical Sites and stands today as a local landmark. The mill served the Collinstown community as a grain mill but also as a meeting place for people to exchange information about families and friends, and being on the Dan River, it became a favorite spot for fisherman who enjoyed trout fishing. As long as Mr. Jessup was able, he served his community as a leader and was always there to help, when family or friends needed him. With his passing an era comes to a close, he will be missed.

Mr. Jessup was of the Baptist faith.

Surviving are his wife, Doris Cooke Jessup of the home; three sisters, Annie Z. Jessup of Collinstown Road, Westfield, Clidie Lou Rogers and Dorothy Mills, both of Westfield; and several nieces and nephews that Porter served as a father to.

Mr. Jessup was preceded in death by three sisters, Effie Sullivan, Etta Lawson, and Edith Simmons; and three brothers, Folger, J.D., and Kenneth Jessup.