Leonard A. Fortner, Sr.

Leonard A. Fortner, Sr., beloved husband, father and brother, went to be with the Lord, January 10, 2008, following a lengthy illness. Borne June 22, 1923, a native of Kannapolis, NC he moved to Johnson City, TN in 1953. He served in World War II in the branch of the United States Army stationed in Germany. Mr. Fortner was the owner of Tri-Cities Insurance Agency serving the community for fifty-five years. He was a member of Central Baptist Church where he served as a deacon for many years. Mr. Fortner married Mary Lee, a devoted wife, in 1943 and was blessed with five children, fifteen grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren; daughter, Vickie Ferguson and son Lenny Fortner, Jr. both of Johnson City, son, Stanley Fortner and his wife, Kim, Greeneville, TN, daughter, Jenny Meredith, Buford, GA and daughter, Natalie Vallandingham and her husband, retired Lt. Col. Kevin Vanllandingham, Lansing, KS; grandchildren, Alvah Ferguson and his wife, Lea Ann, Mt. Airy, VA, Randal Ferguson and his wife, Larissa, Johnson City, Julie Ferguson, Michael Fortner and his wife, Jennifer, Christopher Fortner, Portland, Oregon Yvette Fortner, Johnson City, Edward Meredith, III, Charleston, SC, Alex and Rachel Meredith of Flowery Branch, GA, Andy and Evan Meredith, Buford, GA., Erin and Caitlin Fortner of Greeneville, TN, Samuel, Megan and Hannah Vallandingham of Lansing, KS. A funeral service for Mr. Fortner will be conducted at 9:30 AM Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at Central Baptist Church, 300 N. Roan Street, Johnson City, TN. Dr. Ronald Murray and Reverend R. Willard Warfield will officiate. Graveside services will be held at 11 AM at Mountain Home National Cemetery, Mountain Home, TN. Grandsons will serve as active pallbearers. Members of the Rigell Sunday School Class will serve as honorary pallbearers. The family will receive friends from 6-8 PM Monday, January 14, 2008 at Central Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Central Baptist Church Building Fund, 300 North Roan Street, Johnson City, TN 37601 or the Alzheimers Disease Foundation, Northeast TN Chapter, 207 North Boone Street, Suite 1050, Johnson City, TN 37604 or Adventa Hospice, 684 Hwy 91, Elizabethton, TN 37643. Online condolences may be made through www.morrisbaker.com. Morris-Baker Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2001 Oakland Ave., Johnson City, TN 37601 (423-282-1521) is serving the family.