Tara Nicole Porterfield

Tara Nicole Porterfield (May 03, 1971—June 30, 2024)

Tara Nicole, age 53, was born on May 3, 1971 at St. Elizabeth hospital in Dayton, Ohio. Surrounded by her family and closest friends, The Lord gave Tara her wings to soar to heaven on June 30, 2024. Prior to becoming an adult, it fair to say Tara had seen her share of the United States having lived in Ohio, West Virginia, Virgina and California. 

Tara has been a talented free spirit since day one. She was gifted in playing piano, danced tap and ballet, competed in gymnastics and played the flute. Not to be outdone, Tara cared for and rode horses passionately. 

Her passions did stop there. She was a mom to countless "Fur babies” to include but not limited to Sasha, Little Girl, Sampson, Sheba, Simba, Midnight, Chow Chow, Phantom, Fluffy, Whiskers, Dashes, Cowboy, and Dutch. We haven’t even begun to identify the ferals she tended to. I am sure she is in heaven right now spoiling all of them as usual.

Over the years, Tara had established and maintained relationships with various charities and organizations helping her to do her part and save any animal in need, one at a time. Many Paws Volunteer Transport Team, Our Farm Sanctuary just to name of few. 

As a young adult, Tara worked various jobs as a cashier, waitress, and crew member at Little Caeser’s. Anyone who knows Tara knows that she loves pizza. So much that she was employed at Little Ceaser’s in California and Ohio. Just to clarify, her favorite was a meat lover’s but take the ham off because it’s only for the flavor not to eat on the pizza. In 1997, Tara discovered her career in law enforcement for the Los Angeles Police Department. Tara proudly served her community for 20 years in several positions earning multiple accolades throughout her service time. Tara did not half step anything that she did. She had no limits. Tara worked the streets of L.A. in uniform and behind the desk for the Gang Task Force.

Post retirement, Tara returned to Ohio and started a second career as a Real Estate Investor. She proudly assisted those in need in many ways and instantly became a “handy woman, a jill of all trades.” Tara developed meaningful working relationships that turned into personal relationships for life. That is just what type of woman Tara is. In fact, investing in real estate in how she and I met and began the rest of our lives. 

“There is no distance too far between souls that share a deep connection.”

On May 30, 2024, Tara and I became a Union of One before God and were married. It was such a glorious event. We were married at Miami Valley Hospital Chapel. Tara had a beautiful white dress, a full floral arrangement and a room full of supportive staff and family. The best part of it all, despite her illness, she was able to stand throughout the entire ceremony and we were able to share a mutual joy as if there was no one else in the room with us. That moment is something I will cherish for the rest of my days. 

There are no words that could ever truly express the impact Tara had in this lifetime. She has such a genuine, powerful soul that was infectious to all she came in contact with. Always positive, always respectful and very trustworthy. She carried herself with such integrity and pride. Tara truly embraced the simplicities of life. Not a vain or materialistic bone in her entire body. She truly treated others the way all should be treated. God made a unique woman that shall never be duplicated. 

Tara is preceded in death by her maternal great grandparents (Mom and Dad) Charles and Stella Damron, David Day (father) maternal grandparents, infant sister Janelle DeAnn Pohl, great aunts and uncles.

Family and friends that remain to cherish Tara’s spirit and memory include Masija-Jmes Porterfield (husband), Sandra Pohl (mother), Shelyna Pohl (sister), Preston Porterfield (son), Taylor (daughter and husband Alex), grandchildren Isla, Estelle and Cora. Tara would especially want to acknowledge Luke & the crew for being special friends turned family. Sonia, Joy, Alfred, Ginny, Vonne, and Kheesha for the special bond established and maintained over the years. Each of you carried different relationships but equally special to her in their own way. Other Special Friends include Mike and Kim Yarbrough and Chris and Tina Mitchell. Your support and positivity were greatly embraced from the beginning.

All staff and personnel that worked with “Ketchup” over her tenure with the department. She would want to remind all of you that she loved her job and wouldn’t trade the experiences for anything in this world. Thank you, LAPD, for all that you meant to her. 

Special thanks to the Oncology Nurses, Patient Care Techs (PCT) and staff from Miami Valley Main Campus. There are too many to name but you know who you are. I cannot express how special you made our wedding day. You will never be forgotten. 

Special thanks to Rachel, Debra, Jana, Jenny and Amanda from Vitas. Words cannot express the appreciation our family has for the compassion and respect you all demonstrated during our time of grief.

Our family would also like to thank Jackson, Lytle and Lewis Funeral Home for the level of care for our loved one and professionalism from beginning to end. We were embraced like family and the experience never felt like a business transaction.

From the bottom of our hearts…Thanks to everyone for the continued support and prayers through this difficult time. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to the following organizations that promotes Tara’s passion and lifestyle:

https://www.alivingtribute.org/

https://www.battacats.org/

https://ocao.org/

The Porterfield Family 

What is the meaning (point) of life?

Six years ago, Tara was asked this complex question. Her response, “I believe in reincarnation, so I believe that our purpose is to work out the kinks that our soul has. Once we work those out, after numerous lifetimes, then I believe our soul goes onto whatever comes next.” 

This speaks volumes of the mark Tara left on the world and her perspective when it comes to life and death. She stood firm in her spirituality. She embraced life and took it head on, but welcomed the afterlife if it was God’s will. Tara was truly at peace. Through all of the ups and downs that illness brings, she remained positive and did not complain about anything one time. Ironically, leaving this earth was not a fear Tara possessed. She was concerned about the well-being and mental capacity of those she loved after her body was no longer here to touch. In short, a Selfless Queen. 

 Tara's celebration of life will be held on Saturday, July 20, 2024. For details, please reach out to her family directly.