Barrow County GaArchives News.....DAR Honors Longtime Member, Mrs. Fortson January 29, 1975 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Chandler Eavenson http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00030.html#0007294 May 6, 2007, 5:51 pm The Winder News, Winder, GA January 29, 1975 The Daughters of the American Revolution recently honored one of its long- standing members, Annie Lou Fortson, in a meeting where her life history was read. Daughter of Junius H. and Jessie Bush Jackson, she was born in a home located on what is now Stephens Street. Her parents were from Oconee County and Oglethorpe County and were among the first residents of Winder, the DAR report said. It was here (the Winder Public School) Annie Lou received her early education. At the time she received her diploma in 1908, there were only 10 grades in the school and only 10 members of her class, the honor read. She attended the Athens State Normal School, and upon completion of the two-year course, the returned to her hometown and accepted a position in the city school, where she taught for many years. In 1913, she was married to the late George H. Fortson, and from this marriage came one son, Harold Jackson Fortson, who now resides in Nebraska with his wife, two daughters and a son. Annie Lou always loved her home, and it was her ambition to make it a pleasant and attractive place for her family and for friends who were always welcome, the report said. There was a time when Barrow County had difficulty securing teachers, so Mrs. Fortson started teaching again. She supplied some at Central school (near Chapel Church), taught Cook's school, and later went to Bethlehem. When the county decided to have a visiting teacher, it selected Mrs. Fortson. Here, in that job, she managed to endear herself to county teachers and pupils and is still remembered by many today, the DAR said. During the years Annie Lou was teaching, she took courses from the University of Georgia and attended summer schools, receiving her A.B. degree in 1939. It was after serving as visiting teacher that she moved to Atlanta and became affiliated with the Fulton County school system. At the close of ten years as a member of the E.P. Harwell faculty, she retired from teaching. The school honored her with a program, and presented her a life membership in the PTA. After she retired from the Fulton County system, the Fortsons moved to Smyrna, where she joined the Belmont Hill school faculty and taught there for five years. It was then she retired again, and she and her husband returned to Winder for permanent residence. Mrs. Fortson has made many contributions through the years to the religious, cultural and civic life of Winder, the DAR said. She is one of the oldest members in length of membership in the First United Methodist Church, and is a charter member of this church. She worked as pianist for the Sunday school and church for a long period of time. She was a circle chairman and taught the Philathen class for several years. Annie Lou has always been interested in better schools and education. Years ago, she had the honor of being one of two women appointed to servce on the Board of Education, which was composed of nine members. She is the only surviving member today, the DAR said. The first group of Campfire Girls was organized by Mrs. Fortson. She served as president of the Parents Teacher Association for two terms. At the time the Eastern Star was organized, she became a charter member. She was also a member of the Garden Study Club. The first and only choral club Winder ever had was organized by Mrs. Fortson, the DAR said. She was president of the Women's Club. Of the first five presidents, she is the only one living. It was in 1921 that Mrs. Fortson organized the Sunbury Daughters of the American Revolution, and she served as regent for two years.The chapter honored her by having her name inscribed on a plate for a chair in Constitution Hall, Washington, D.C. and also a name plate at Valley Forge Bell Tower. Mrs. Fortson is now confined to Russell Nursing Home, and though handicapped in many ways, she is still alert and interested in the happenings of the town. She is always happy to have friends visit her and welcomes those.. Additional Comments: Annie Lou Jackson, born 1891 in Winder, the daughter of Junius H. Jackson (1863- 1939) and Jessie Estelle Bush (1869-1939), married on 24 Aug 1913 at Athens, GA to George Harold Fortson (1888-1970). George, born at Goss in Elbert Co., GA, was the son of Confederate Soldier Asa Chandler Fortson (1847-1906) and Louisa Catherine Hall (1855-1927).George began his working career at an early age with Western Union in Elberton, later served as a Station Agent with the Seaboard Railroad in Winder, later becoming a Dispatcher for Seaboard in Atlanta. Annie Lou and George are buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, Winder. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/barrow/newspapers/darhonor2255gnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/ File size: 5.2 Kb