Obituary of Margaret Fortson

Mrs. Margaret Dye Fortson, age 93, of Jackson, Georgia, formerly of Elberton, wife of the late Weymon Johnson Fortson, passed away on Sunday, January 5, 2014, at her home. Mrs. Fortson was born in Elbert County on February 24, 1920, to the late L.B. and Sudie Martin Dye. She graduated from Fortsonia High School, Young Harris College, Georgia State College for Women in 1941 with a B.S. in education. She was an elementary school teacher in Evans, Georgia. Margaret was a member of Bethlehem United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School for 50 years, served as Chairman of the Administrative Board, President of United Methodist Women, and Communion Stewart at Bethlehem for many years. In spite of being deaf, Mrs. Fortson was very active in Elbert County. She served as President of the Home Economics Club, Treasure of the Elbert County Garden Club, and Charter Member and President of the Pine Tree Garden Club. She resided in Jackson for the last 16 years where she attended Jackson United Methodist Church. Left to cherish her memories are her children, Dr. Keith Fortson and his wife Gay of Jackson and Carol Spratlin and her husband Paul of Auburn, Alabama; grandchildren, Marc Fortson, Karen Fortson Thigpen, Patti Spratlin Jackson, Ken Spratlin, Elizabeth Fortson Sheehan, and Chandler Fortson; nine great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, she is preceded in death by her son, Dr. Kenneth Fortson; brothers, Brewer, Edward, Broadus, Rush, Milton, and Wilton Dye. Funeral services celebrating her life will be held on Wednesday, January 8, at 11:00 a.m. in the Bethlehem United Methodist Church with Dr. P. Alice Rogers and the Reverend Sharon Coley officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Hills Memorial Park. Mrs. Fortson will be placed in the church at 10:30 a.m. to lie instate until the service hour. The family will receive friends at Berry Funeral Home from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday evening. Flowers are optional and donations may be made in her memory to Jackson United Methodist Church Carr Class, P.O. Box 1880, Jackson, Georgia 30233 or to Bethlehem United Methodist Church, 1328 Fairway Drive, Elberton, Georgia 30635. Share your stories and photos in Mrs. Fortson's Book of Memories at www.berryfh.com. Berry Funeral Home & Crematory, Elberton, is respectfully in charge of arrangements for Mrs. Margaret Dye Fortson.