Shirley Ann Fortner

Shirley Ann Fortner went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on September 17, 2020 after a long fulfilling life. She was 81 years old and a retired seamstress. It would be wrong to say that Shirley lost her battle because she never stopped fighting. No matter how sick she was, she was always determined. Through her, we know what resilience and perseverance truly look like. There was no quit in Shirley. Just because she is no longer here, it doesn’t mean she lost her fighting spirit. She will always be remembered for her love of laughter, the ability to make others laugh and she never met a stranger. She always said, “I’ve had a good life.”
She was the daughter of the late Beulah Smith. She was preceded in death by a sister, Margaret Fugate; brothers, Jay Shelton and Lloyd “Tip” Smith.
Shirley is survived by her devoted husband William Fortner of 50 years; mother of 5 children, Cathy (Jimmy) Stuman, Randy Shelton, Kim Shelton, Terry (Teresa) Shelton and Christy (Michael) May. She had 7 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, Amanda Taylor (Josh, Ben, Eli and AnaGrace), Ashley Carroll (Matt Culberston, Maci, Gunnar, Chase, Turner), Kayla Carroll (Chris Davis, Brayden “Little Man”, Elliott “Big Boy”), Teryn Wimberley (Reno, Evie), Jessica Stinnett (Tessa, Dex), Sara Ledwell (Oaklynn) and Everly. She is also survived by her sister, Dorothy Cross and a brother, Ronnie Smith. In addition to these, she leaves behind numerous, nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends. The family would also like to express thankfulness to Dr. Marcum and Sara Booth of Blue Ridge Pulmonary. Pallbearers: Jimmy Stuman, Michael May, Reno Wimberley, Chris Davis, Matt Culbertson, Johnny Hooker, Ben Taylor, Eli Taylor and Brayden Carroll.