NEOSHO, Mo. —
Farris DuFay Fortner, 89, entered into rest on March 8, 2013, at Freeman Neosho Hospital, Neosho, Mo., following a short illness.
He was born on July 7, 1923, in Shirley, Ark., to Glover Montrose and Ruth Ermoine (Brown) Fortner.
The family moved into the Delta area of Southeast Missouri (also known as the Missouri Bootheel). He graduated from high school in Gideon, Mo. Farris farmed with his father until the loss of his right hand in a farming accident. He taught school for several years while attending college during the summer. Farris graduated from Murray State University, in Murray, Ky., where he met his wife, Anna French. Continuing to teach, Farris attended graduate school during the summers until receiving his Masters in Education Degree from Arkansas State University.
Farris served as high school principal in Anniston, Mo. and Leadwood, Mo., before moving to Crocker, Mo., where he served as Superintendent of Schools for 13 years. Retiring from teaching in Missouri, Farris returned to Arkansas, where he worked as school librarian at various schools before retiring a second time. He then returned to Missouri, living with his wife in Sarcoxie from 1990, until April, 2009, when they moved to Neosho.
Farris collected clocks and enjoyed tinkering with them. He was an active Gideon and when in Sarcoxie, he volunteered regularly at the Taylor Museum. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Neosho and earlier in life, served as a Deacon in Poplar Bluff, Mo. and Parkin, Ark.
Farris married Anna Elizabeth French Fortner on June 3, 1951, in Princeton, Ky. and she survives. He is also survived by his children, Janet M. Dyer and husband, Charles, of Houston, Mo., Farris David Fortner and wife, Debbie, of Sullivan, Mo., George Fortner and wife, Connie, of Neosho, Mo.; grandchildren, Brian L. Dyer and wife, Pam, of Tulsa, Okla., Laura A. Stitt and husband, Dan, of Springfield, Mo., Angela Blaxton and husband, Malachi, of Enid, Okla., Aimee Stinnett and husband, Corey, of Webb City, Mo.; great-grandchildren, Alexander Dyer, Madalene Dyer, and Damien Dyer all, of Tulsa, Okla., David Stitt and Hannah Stitt, of Springfield, Mo., Corbin Stinnett and Owen Stinnett, of Webb City, Mo.; Siblings, Wilson "Wallace" Fortner, of Shoreline, Wash., Mary Ruth Harris, of Tuscaloosa, Ala., Lanore Godsey Taylor, of Sikeston, Mo., Doris McDaniel and husband, Bill Warner Robbins, Ga. Farris is preceded in death by his parents; his infant daughter, Doris Jean; three brothers, William M. Fortner, L. Weldon Fortner, and Horace Fortner.
Funeral Services will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 12, 2013, at Clark Funeral Home, Neosho, Mo. Reverend Sam Turner officiating. Graveside service will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 13, at Stanfield Cemetery, Clarkton, Mo. Mr. Fortner will lie in state Monday, March 11, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Clark Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, Neosho, Mo. and family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers family is requesting memorial contributions may be made to the Gideons or Calvary Baptist Church Neosho, Mo. c/o Clark Funeral Home P.O. Box 66 Neosho, MO 64850
Arrangements are under the direction of Clark Funeral Home, Neosho,.
Online condolences may be posted at
www.clarkfuneralhomes.com
Obits
Farris D. Fortner
- Obits
-
-
Lavon B. Thornberry
In loving memory of Lavon B. Thornberry
-
Bob McKay
Bob McKay, 85, of rural Mindenmines, Mo., died at 9:20 p.m. Thursday, May 16, 2013, at his home.
-
Kathleen Greninger
Kathleen Whaley Greninger, age 77, went home to be with her Heavenly Father on May 14, 2013, surrounded by her loving family.
-
Debra Sue (Debby) Smith Hamilton
In memory of Debra Sue (Debby) Smith Hamilton
-
Maxine Mullins
Maxine Mullins, 94, passed away on May 12, 2013, in Norman, Okla.
-
Phyl Hamilton
Phyllis J. "Phyl" Hamilton, age 84, Joplin, passed away at 4:40 a.m. Tuesday, May 14, 2013, at Webb City Health and Rehabilitation Center.
-
Aiden Paul Abbiatti
Aiden Paul Abbiatti, infant son of Adam and Kylie Abbiatti, went to be with the angels and his sister, Tierney Alexis Abbiatti, on May 12, 2013.
-
Dr. Chet Long
Dr. Chester I. "Chet" Long, age 65, Joplin, passed away at 8:47 a.m. Sunday, May 12, 2013, at his home after a courageous battle with ALS.
-
Remal H. Hively
Remal H. Hively, 86, Goodman, Mo., died May 13, 2013, at Joplin, Mo., following a short illness.
-
Lawrence Ernest Martin Sr.
Lawrence Ernest Martin Sr., 78, Granby, Mo., went to his eternal home in Glory on May 14, 2013.
- More Obits Headlines
-
Lavon B. Thornberry
Probe Begins After Conn. Commuter Trains Crash
NTSB Begins Investigation Into Conn. Train Crash
Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids
Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree
Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics
Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel?
Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot
Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction
Officials: Texas Tornado Likely Had 200 Mph Wind
Brothers Arrested in NOLA Parade Shooting
