MITCHELL COUNTY, NC - OBITUARIES - John Gudger Fortner, 20 Nov 2002 ----¤¤¤¤---- JOHN GUDGER FORTNER BAKERSVILLE - John Gudger Fortner, 87, of the Snow Creek community, died Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2002 at his home. He was the son of the late Bascombe and Esther McKinney Fortner. After managing A&P Tea Company Stores in Canton, Brevard, Asheville, Franklin and Sylva, he returned and was a self-employed dairyman and cattleman. He was a member of Lily Branch Baptist Church and of Masonic Lodge #357 in Bakersville. Survivors include his wife, Mae Freeman Fortner of the home; a daughter, Susan Ballard of Weaverville; two grandsons; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Sunday at Lily Branch Baptist Church. Revs. Steve Williams and David Lee officiated. Burial followed in the church cemetery. The family received friends one hour prior to the service in the church fellowship hall. Webb Funeral Home in Spruce Pine was in charge of arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Mitchell County, P.O. Box 38, Spruce Pine, NC 28777, or Lily Branch Baptist Church, 3716 Snow Creek Road, Bakersville, NC 28705. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Mitchell News Journal www.mitchellnews.com/ -----------------------------------------------------------------------------