Rita Young Fortner

Rita Lois Young McMichael Fortner, age 97, of Gulfport, Mississippi, died May 26, 2013, in Snellville, Georgia. Born November 18, 1915, in Youngstown, Florida, she lived in Gulfport, Mississippi more than 75 years.
Rita was preceded in death by her first husband Robert M. McMichael, her husband Henry T. Fortner; her parents Mittie Belle Clark and Howell Hardiman Young; sisters Julia Young Dean and Dorothy Dodge Jordan; brothers Lamar H. Young, Langdale Young and Thomas Young; grandson Andr M. Wagner and step-son Richard Fortner.
She is survived by her daughter, Rebecca L. McMichael, Raleigh, North Carolina, four grandchildren: Juli Marie, T. Michele Ambler (Eric), Robert M. Wagner, Maurice V. Wagner; four great-grandchildren: Tara M. Derveloy, Jason M. Derveloy, Blake M. Wagner and Nicole R. Wagner; her sisters, Grace Young Miller (O. C.) and Helen Young Greene (Roy), brother, Jerry Young (Fran), sister-in-law, Betty Young (Langdale), brother-in-law William Fortner (Lola); step-daughter-in-law Inell Fortner, step-grandchildren Sherry F. Soupkup and Daniel Fortner: and many beloved nieces, grand- and great-nieces; nephews and grand- and great-nephews.
Rita earned awards and commendations for her resource- and money-saving recommendations and practices as Assistant Manager of the federal housing program for returning veterans at Hardy Court in the 1940s; as Deputy Director of Dispersal at Keesler Air Force Base; and in the Dispersal Section at the Navy Seabee Base. She and Henry also managed their Colonial Hotel on the beach before it was destroyed by Camille.
A member of First United Methodist Church in Gulfport, Mississippi more than 60 years, she served on many committees and projects including the Pastors Committee and the Education Committee which established the Education Scholarship Fund; she was a member of United Methodist Women and the Sallie Bingham Circle, where she received her 50-year Life Member Womens Society of Christian Service pin.
Rita and three others representing First United Methodist Church, Gulfport, served with the Honduras Baptist Medical/Dental Mission team for one week of dawn-to-after-dark dental treatment of hundreds of Hondurans under primitive and dangerous guerilla warfare conditions August, 1988. She was 75 at the time.
Rita valued education and served on Parent Teacher Association committees and offices including President of Gulfport North Central Elementary School PTA in the 1940s. She was noted for volunteer work in Memories of East Ward by Jean Peden.
Her community service included serving in offices including President of the Gulfport Civic League, an organization dedicated to serving the needs of children. A cancer survivor, she participated in the American Cancer Societys Reach to Recovery program where she visited and encouraged hospitalized breast cancer patients. In spite of the reticence at the time of speaking in public about this disease, when asked, she appeared on television, was interviewed on radio shows and featured in newspaper articles to support Gulf Coast breast cancer prevention, treatment and information programs.
She loved the sand beaches of the Gulf Coast, watched over the least terns nests, worried about the casino-transplanted live oaks, marveled over the pelicans and introduced three generations to those wonders as well as shrimp boats, amazing dolphins, Blessings of the Fleet, Mardi Gras on the Gulf Coast, raw oysters, and seafood gumbo by the gallon.
She used her artistic southern style to create meals and design memorable dcor and keepsake favors for parties to celebrate family and friends, civic and social organizations and church groups.
She was a member of several bridge clubs, Gulfport Yacht Club Auxiliary, Broadwater Golf Club and Sunkist Country Club.
Gifted in painting and needlework arts, she handmade for family and friends bed quilts, art quilts, stuffed animals, crocheted wall hangings, painted china, needlepoint portraits, party and play clothes and an heirloom lace christening gown ensemble to pass down the generations.
Rita enjoyed golf and with her husband Henry participated in regional senior amateur tournaments. To the chagrin of the men of her family and acquaintance she scored a witnessed hole-in-one at a local course.
She and Henry traveled often, covering the United States and leaving few historical markers, Presidents homes, natural wonders or genealogical connections unexplored.
Rita treasured her friendships, many of which spanned four and five decades. She believed to enjoy old age, you must have young friends and her later years were enriched by those as well.
Her family deeply appreciates Dr. Guss Shelley, former pastor of First United Methodist Church in Gulfport, who helped her feel part of and appreciated by her church community when she could no longer participate or attend; her many friends from church who included her so often; and the former staff at Seashore Methodist Retirement Community for their care before her Katrina-forced move to Georgia.
In lieu of services, a memorial booklet will be published for family and friends. Rita will be interred in Ocilla, Georgia, alongside her father and grandparents in the cemetery of Brushy Creek Primitive Baptist Church, which was pastored for 21 years in the mid-1800s by her great-grandfather Jacob Young.
To honor her more than 60 years of dedicated church service, memorials may be made to Gulfport First United Methodist Church, Education Scholarship Fund, 2301 15th Street, Gulfport, Mississippi, 39501 (or charity of your choice).

Arrangements by Byars Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 155 Professional Park Drive, Cumming, GA.(678) 455-5815.