Martha Fortner

Martha Ann Wofford Fortner, 81, of Columbus, passed away on September 26, 2020 , at Baptist Memorial Hospital -Golden Triangle.

Martha was born on October 16, 1938, in Lamar County, AL, to Clarence Lester and Josie Lee Wofford.  She graduated from Lee High School in 1957.  On June 1, 1957, she married Billy (“Bill”) Lee Fortner , and they remained married until Bill’s death four months before what would have been their 50 th anniversary .  Bill was in the U. S. Air Force, and they were stationed at Eglin Air Force Base, FL, Bermuda, Biloxi, MS, Taipei, Taiwan, and finally Columbus.

While Martha worked at JCPenney and at Town & Country Realty with Bill for a period of time, her true calling was being a wife, mother and grandmother, each role fulfilled exceptionally, lovingly, selflessly and with enthusiasm.  While her family was always her top priority, she also loved gardening, reading, shopping, sewing and politics.  Martha was also a member of Antioch Baptist Church for many years.

She is survived by son, Billy Lee Fortner, Jr. (Lisa) of Bowling Green, VA, daughter, Sandra Brock (Steve) of Franklin, TN, grandsons, James Fortner, Eric Brock and Evan Brock, sister-in-law, Linda Ann Sumrall (Tom), of Columbus, MS, and three nieces, Cheryl Noland, Lisa Ivey (Donnie) and Cynthia Edwards (Bill). She also leaves Denise Sanders, her wonderful caregiver , who she loved like a daughter. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband , sister, Mary Kate Noland, and brothers John Wofford and Larry Wofford.

Visitation will be held at Memorial Gunter Peel Funeral Home & Crematory 716 2 ^nd Ave. North location, on Wednesday, September 30, 2020, beginning at 12:30 PM with a 2:00 PM graveside service following at Friendship Cemetery.

Memorials can be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX, 75284