Rev. George Fortner

Rev. George Lewis Jack Fortner, age 81, of Cleveland, passed away on Sunday, May 23, 2021. Rev. Fortner was born on July 13, 1939, in White County, to the late Jack and Lou Dora Mae Henderson Fortner. He was a veteran of the United States Navy and a member of White Creek Baptist Church. George retired from the City of Cornelia as the water plant superintendent. In addition to his parents, George was preceded in death by half-brothers, Leonard Fortner, Homer Fortner, and Clark Fortner; sister, Maudelle Fortner; daughter-in-law, Betty Fortner. Rev. Fortner was an ordained Baptist minister. He answered his call to serve God when he was ordained as a deacon at Community Baptist Church, where he was also a Sunday School teacher. Later, he would pastor Lower Hightower Baptist Church in Hiawassee and Union Baptist Church in Sautee. He was an accomplished songwriter, and he had a radio broadcast on WZEL Radio in Young Harris for 3 years. Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Judith Fortner, Cleveland; son, Rev. Lewis Fortner, Cleveland; sons and daughters-in-law, Daniel and Jodi Fortner, Mt. Airy, and Rev. Raymond and Melissa Fortner, Cleveland; daughter and son-in-law, Remy and David Cantrell, Dahlonega; grandchildren, Elizabeth and Jacob Holloman, Allison Fortner, Rebecca and Andrew Manley, Darren Fortner, Brianna Fortner, Jake Cantrell, Savannah Cantrell, Matthew Fortner, and Brett Fortner; great-grandchildren, Jackson Holloman and Elise Holloman; brothers and sisters-in-law, Rev. Dave and Virginia Fortner, Cleveland, and Tim and Edna Fortner, Cleveland; sister, Frances Sutton, Cleveland; sister and brother-in-law, Shirley and J.C. Sutton, Cleveland. Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 P.M. Thursday, May 27, 2021 at White Creek Baptist Church. The Rev. Henry Loggins, the Rev. Raymond Fortner, and the Rev. Lewis Fortner will officiate. Interment will follow in White Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2:00 – 8:00 P.M. Wednesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Habersham County Gideons Camp – P.O. Box 1855, Clarkesville, GA 30523. Please note on the memo line of your check: Camp 10109. To share a memory or to leave an online condolence for the family, please visit www.barrettfh.com Barrett Funeral Home of Cleveland.