Mae Fortner Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Mae Freeman Fortner, 99, a former teacher, principal, supervisor and assistant superintendent in the Mitchell County Schools, died Sunday, July 1, at Brooks-Howell Home in Asheville. She began her 41-year career in education in Buncombe County, Franklin, and Sylva, settling in Mitchell County in 1951. Mrs. Fortner was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, John Gudger Fortner, of the Snow Creek community near Bakersville; and by her parents and four brothers. She is survived by her daughter, Susan Fortner Ballard and husband Paul J Ballard of Weaverville and Fort Worth, TX; grandsons Christopher Paul Ballard of Weaverville, John Gudger Ballard and wife Jillian of Black Mountain, John’s and Jill’s young son Henry Joseph Ballard; several nieces and nephews, and by her caring cousin, Betty Cooper, of Weaverville. At the time of her death, Mrs. Fortner rejoiced in great grandson Henry and his anticipated new sister, to be named Mae Teresa Ballard, Mrs. Fortner’s namesake, in October. Born in Jackson County on November 14, 1918, she was the daughter of a Methodist minister, Rev. Harley C. Freeman, and Martha Wiggins Freeman. She received her associate degree in elementary education at Brevard College in 1936, her BA in education from Asheville Teachers’ College in 1940, and her MA in education from Western Carolina University. Mrs. Fortner was a strong advocate for the health, education, and welfare of mountain children, and especially for the underprivileged. She became the supervisor of all K-12 instructional programs in the Mitchell County schools in 1964, and with the support of teachers and staff, she spearheaded programs in special education and preschool screening and development. She helped to secure services in speech therapy, physical therapy, dental hygiene, and psychological health. She led accreditation efforts and wrote grants to secure federal funding in several areas. She oversaw implementation of the Teacher Aide Program. She was active in numerous professional organizations and in the Bakersville United Methodist Church, where she especially enjoyed serving as a Sunday School teacher in an active and inquisitive women’s class. She was comforted in the last two years of her life by the Brooks Howell community and the excellent care she received from the CNA’s, nurses and staff. The family respectfully requests the honor of your presence at the funeral service honoring the life of Mae Fortner on Thursday, July 5, 2018 at 2:30 pm at the Bakersville United Methodist Church. A time to support the family, share memories and receive friends will be on Thursday, July 5, 2018 from 1:00 pm until 2:30 pm at the Bakersville United Methodist Church. Interment will follow in the Lily Branch Baptist Church Cemetery. The family is appreciative of flowers or contributions to: Bakersville United Methodist Church; or the Cemetery Fund of the Lily Branch Baptist Church. Words of comfort may be e-mailed to the family by going to our website; www.webbfh.com., selecting Mae Fortner’s name and then you may sign her guestbook. Webb Funeral Home of Spruce Pine is honored to be assisting the Fortner family. Mrs. Fortner’s obituary has also been posted on Facebook for viewing. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - MEMORIAL DONATIONS MAY BE MADE TO Bakersville United Methodist Church 119 South Mitchell Ave. Bakersville, NC 28705 OR Lily Branch Baptist Church Cemetery Fund C/O Lily Branch Baptist Church 3125 Snow Creek Road Bakersville, NC 28705

Mae Fortner

November 14, 1918 - July 1, 2018