Brandon Smith Fortner
July 24, 1939 ~ September 23, 2001
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Mrs. Fortner was born in Swain County and was a daughter of the late Floyd and Fannie Green Smith. She retired in October of 2000 after 33 years of service with the Buncombe County Health Department. She was an active member of Bethesda United Methodist Church.
She is survived by her husband, Bennie Boyce Fortner, Sr. and grandson Philp Fortner of the home; two sons and daughters-in-law, Mike and Renea Fortner of Candler and Boyce and Pam Fortner of Asheville, and two grandsons, Blake and Tyler; two sisters, Lora Carson and Nancy Arvey of Bryson City; and two brothers, Albert Smith of Leicester and Boyd Smith of Montana.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 am Wednesday in the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral Home with the Rev. H.D. Houck officiating. Interment will be at 2:00 pm Wednesday at Swain Memorial Park in Bryson City.
Her family will receive friends from 7 - 8:30 pm Tuesday at the funeral home and request that memorials be made to Mountain Area Hospice, PO Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813.
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I wish to express my condolences to Brandon’s family. May God wrap you in his loving arms at this time of loss. Brandon was a thoughtful and caring person. She will be missed.
I would like to extend my heartfelt sympathies to Bennie, Philip and all the Fortner family. I always called Brandon ‘my second mom’ and I loved her as such. She was such a joy to work with for over 24 years. I will always remember the laughs we had together and her loving and giving spirit. Her friendship will be missed.
Our condolences to the Fortner family.
Brandon will be greatly missed. She was a great coworker at the BCHD. Always smiling and had a great sense of humor. I will always remember my first year and a half at the BCHD (2/89 – 10/90)working in the Immuniztion Clinic. She was a lot of fun and a great help to me during that time. I will miss her!
I worked with Brandon for twenty eight years. We laughed, talked about camping and the lake, and listened to each others stories of our growing up and changing families. She loved you’all very much. Her eyes would sparkle when she talked about you. I will miss her. Patsy
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. I worked with Brandon for five years in the early eighties and remember her sense of humor and diligence in her work. My prayers are with you. Cynthia
Boyce & Pam,
I was saddened to hear of your loss. Just wanted you to know that you and your family are in my prayers during this difficult time.
May God bless you and grant you peace.
DeeAnne Lancaster
I wish to send my sincere condolences to Brandon’s family. I worked with Brandon at the Buncombe County Health Center for 10 years. I was always impressed with her kindness and sweet attitude. Her smile was a blessing for the staff and patients who passed her way. She will be missed! May God be with you all.
To the family,
I worked with Brandon several summers at the Health Dept. We had many good laughs and shared many good times. She was always so bubbly. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
Our prayers are with the family. Brandon was a very special woman.
I will always remember her kindness, and her warm
laugh. She always made me feel so welcome in
your home.
To the family and friends of Brandon I send sincere condolences. May happy memories provide comfort to you. Elaine Barnes, former co-worker at Buncombe County Health Center
Brandon-you were always my favorite aunt. You will surely be missed.
BRANDON, I WILL MISS YOU DEARLY. YOU WAS AN INSPIRATION IN MY LIFE. IF IT WASN’T FOR YOU THAN I DON’T THINK THAT I WILL BE WERE I AM TODAY. YOU STAYED ON TOP OF ME ABOUT THE THINGS THAT WAS IMPORTNAT IN LIFE. MY CONDOLENCES ARE WITH YOUR FAMILY.THEY ARE IN MY PRAYERS ALWAYS.
Brandon was always loving and caring to those around her especially to the little children. We will miss her loving smile. Love Rick & Linda
Brandon was a co-worker with me for several years. A few of us became very close. We wish to extend our deepest sympathies to her family and my her loss soon be felt as warm memories
I want take the time to say that i will dearly miss Brandon and the fun we had working together in the IMM Dept. at the Buncombe Co Health Center. I will miss the fun and laugh’s we had at work. And to share our sympathies,condolences to Bennie and the rest of the family
Aunt Brandon always had a beautiful smile and the most wonderful heartfelt laugh. I have so many fond memories of time spent with her, Uncle Bennie and my cousins. She will be missed (especially her giant hugs). To my Uncle and Cousins: My thoughts are with you and I love you.
Brandon, I will miss your smile and your willingness to help others at work. Your dedication to your family and friends was an inspiration to me. Your love was felt by many.