Carol Jeanette Ballew Porter

Carol Jeanette Ballew Porter, 54, of Hollywood, MD, gained her angel wings in the early morning hours of Sunday, February 18, 2024. Carol leaves behind her loving parents, Kay and Ray Ballew of Hollywood, MD, her sons whom she dearly loved, Darren and Daniel Ballew, her best friend and husband, Mark A. Porter, her brothers, Ray Ballew (Lisa) and Donny Goble, her sister, Sissy Goble of NC, four grandchildren--- to Owen, she was “Gigi”, as well as two special fur babies that she loved, Minnie and Daisy. Carol graduated from Leonardtown High School. Carol married her husband, Mark, in 1996, after meeting him at a Crime Solvers’ Dance. They shared 29 wonderful years together and were married for 27 years. Carol worked at the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office and retired due to health issues that plagued her throughout her life; however, she was a fighter, and at times, hard-headed, which helped her overcome those health issues. She was then diagnosed with lung cancer in July 2023 and underwent three major surgeries in November 2023, but she never quit fighting. Carol had a heart of gold and her smile would light up a room. She had many friends and always made time to speak with them. Carol had a love for sunsets and filled her phone with beautiful photos of them. She was a bright light with her beautiful brown eyes and special smile, and an incredibly remarkable woman who will be greatly missed and never forgotten. To know her was to love her. When you stop to take in a sunset, think of Carol; she is now free from pain. Fly high, my Carol. The family will receive friends on Thursday, February 29, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD, where a funeral service will be held in the funeral home chapel on Friday, March 1, 2024 at 10:00 AM with Pastor Gwen Banks and Pastor Larry Crabtree officiating. Interment will follow at Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown, MD. Serving as pallbearers will be her sons, Darren and Daniel Ballew, Kevin and Joey Somerville, her brother, Ray Ballew, and her husband, Mark A. Porter. Condolences may be made to the family at www.mgfh.com. Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home and Cremation Services, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.