Lloyd Leneal Fortner

Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, January 22, 2011 at First Baptist Church of Columbus with Dr. James C. Elder, Jr. officiating according to Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Road Columbus, GA 31907. Interment will follow the service at 4:00 PM at Laurel Hills Cemetery in Thomasville, GA. The family will receive friends this evening from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the funeral home.

Mr. Fortner was born April 10, 1933 in Marietta, GA to the late William Lloyd and Myrtle Lee Rainey Fortner.

He served as a full time pastor for 17 years at many Baptist churches, including, First Baptist Church of Gordon, Sandy Plains, Stone Creek, Mansfield-Shiloh, Zion Hill, Sanford Memorial, and 10 years as a part time pastor at Friendship Baptist in Americus, GA.

Mr. Fortner worked 33 years for the Georgia Department of Human Resources as a Clinical Chaplain, Area Mental Health Director of the Americus area, and Deputy Superintendent at West Central Georgia Regional Hospital in Columbus, GA. He was a coordinator of storytellers at Anne Elizabeth Shepherd Home, a member of the board of visitors for Mercer University McAfee School of Theology, member of the West Central Georgia Regional Hospital Foundation, a Sunday School Teacher at First Baptist Church of Columbus, and a storyteller and humorist for many groups. Mr. Fortner served as President of the Kiwanis Club of Columbus, and the Civitan Club in Americus, and was also a member of the Lions Club.

Mr. Fortner graduated from Tucker High School, Mercer University, Southeastern Seminary, and trained two years as a clinical chaplain at Milledgeville State Hospital.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Fortner was preceded in death by his daughter, Tammy Lee Fortner, and his brother, Glenn Fortner.

Survivors include his wife, Tamlin Bellamy Fortner of Columbus, GA, his son, Lloyd Leneal Fortner, Jr., and his wife, Claire of Warner Robins, GA; three grandchildren, Melissa, Jeremy, and Blake all of Warner Robins, GA; his sister, Marlene Peterson; his sister in law, Janis Fortner.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Twin Cedars Youth Services, 751 Double Churches Road, Columbus, GA 31904, or First Baptist Church of Columbus, 212 12th Street, Columbus, GA 31901.