Shirley Virginia James Fortner of Gatlinburg, experienced victory over a nearly 4-year battle with cancer on November 12, 2022 when she was welcomed into Heaven by her Savior Jesus Christ.
Waiting for her there was her husband of nearly 63 years, Earl W. Fortner, along with all her siblings and their spouses, Joe and Zelma James, Iva and Roy McElhaney, Polly and JB Arnett, Tony and Marie James, and Jesse and Cecilia James as well as her parents, James and Letha James.
Those who will miss her the most include Bryon Fortner and wife Lori, her precious grandchildren, Abby and Wes, and several nieces and nephews.
Shirley was born and raised in the Central Point Community of Grainger County. Being baptized in Cherokee Lake, she was a member of Central Point Baptist Church. Soon after graduating from Rutledge High School, she married Earl Fortner and moved to Little Rock, Arkansas. After a year, she insisted they move back home, settling in Knoxville. Upon receiving her degree from Draughons Business School, Shirley began her long career as an office manager with J.P. Hogan and Company Advertising Agency, taking a break in the middle of that career to be the mom she was called to be, and later retiring to spend more time with Abby and Wes. She and Earl were long-time active members of Mount Carmel Baptist Church and Mount Harmony Baptist Church, both in Knoxville.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, November 15, 2022, from 11am – 12pm at Bridges Funeral Home with a memorial service to follow at 12pm. Family and friends will proceed to Eastview Cemetery following the memorial service for a 1:00pm burial. Rev. Bryon Fortner, Rev. Chris Hutchens, and Rev. Nick Moore will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to either Mount Carmel Baptist Church in Knoxville or First Baptist Church Gatlinburg.
The family would like to thank Dr. Daniel Ibach and his team at Tennessee Cancer Specialists as well as Caris Home Health Care for their excellent and loving care. Arrangements by Bridges Funeral Home, 5430 Rutledge Pike, 865-523-4999. www.bridgesfuneralhome.com
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Shirley James Fortner March 28 1935 November 12 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Knoxville, Province: T-N