Obituary for Charles Pete Fortner, Jr.
Charles Pete Fortner, Jr.
August 14, 1932 – February 8, 2022
Eupora, Mississippi
Charles Pete Fortner, Jr. died on February 8, 2022, at NMMC in Eupora, MS. Graveside funeral services were held on February 11 at Eupora Cemetery. Rev. Nathan Phillips, pastor of Eupora First United Methodist Church, officiated.
Pete was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Martha John Reed Fortner in January, 2017, and by his parents, C. P. Fortner, Sr., and Virginia Lamb Fortner, all of Eupora.
He is survived by three daughters, Marilyn Moake of Batesville, Linda Burchfield of Eupora, and Leesa Golden of Columbus; five grandchildren, Michelle Tabor of Ridgeland, Stephen Moake of Birmingham, Hays Burchfield of Eupora, Heather Floyd of Nashville, and Kimberly Smith of Lincoln Nebraska; and four great-grandsons, Patrick Tabor, Luke Tabor, William Oliver “Penn” Floyd V, and Vaughan Reed Floyd.
After graduating from Eupora High School in 1950, Mr. Fortner earned a degree from Mississippi State University where he was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. Following graduation, he went into the service of our country with the U. S. Air Force obtaining the rank of First Lieutenant before returning to his hometown to enter the profession of insurance agency owner and later in 1972, graduating from the Mississippi College School of Law and beginning his practice in Eupora, which he continued until his retirement in 2010.
Mr. Fortner was elected and served as Mayor of Eupora for three terms, those beginning 1989, 1993, and again in 2001. He also served as Alderman from 1961 to 1969 and later as City attorney for Eupora, Walthall, and Mathiston.
He also served on the Natchez Trace Electric Power Association Board of Directors for a total of 31 years and was President of the Board from 2006 until his resignation in 2013.
Mr. Fortner was an active member of Eupora First United Methodist Church of Eupora where he served in various leadership positions and in the church choir.
In 2010, Mr. Fortner received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his work on the Webster County Development Council. This award was in recognition of his many years of service as past President of the Webster County Development Corporation and President of the White’s Creek Development Corporation which built and developed White’s Creek Lake and the surrounding residential areas bringing to fruition the vision of his father for a lake in Eupora.
During Mr. Fortner’s career, he developed Magnolia Heights Subdivision, Hill Street, Westwood, and White’s Creek East and West Subdivisions. Over 200 homes were built in Eupora and Webster County under his guidance.
Funeral services for C. P. “Pete” Fortner, Jr. are Friday, February 11, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Eupora City Cemetery. The funeral is for family and close friends only due to precautions for COVID.
Wise Reed Funeral Home of Eupora was in charge of all funeral arrangements. You may go online and sign the guest register or leave a message of condolence for the family at www.wisereedfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Eupora First United Methodist Church at euporafirstmethodist.org, to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org., or to the charity of your choice.
August 14, 1932 – February 8, 2022
Eupora, Mississippi
Charles Pete Fortner, Jr. died on February 8, 2022, at NMMC in Eupora, MS. Graveside funeral services were held on February 11 at Eupora Cemetery. Rev. Nathan Phillips, pastor of Eupora First United Methodist Church, officiated.
Pete was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Martha John Reed Fortner in January, 2017, and by his parents, C. P. Fortner, Sr., and Virginia Lamb Fortner, all of Eupora.
He is survived by three daughters, Marilyn Moake of Batesville, Linda Burchfield of Eupora, and Leesa Golden of Columbus; five grandchildren, Michelle Tabor of Ridgeland, Stephen Moake of Birmingham, Hays Burchfield of Eupora, Heather Floyd of Nashville, and Kimberly Smith of Lincoln Nebraska; and four great-grandsons, Patrick Tabor, Luke Tabor, William Oliver “Penn” Floyd V, and Vaughan Reed Floyd.
After graduating from Eupora High School in 1950, Mr. Fortner earned a degree from Mississippi State University where he was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. Following graduation, he went into the service of our country with the U. S. Air Force obtaining the rank of First Lieutenant before returning to his hometown to enter the profession of insurance agency owner and later in 1972, graduating from the Mississippi College School of Law and beginning his practice in Eupora, which he continued until his retirement in 2010.
Mr. Fortner was elected and served as Mayor of Eupora for three terms, those beginning 1989, 1993, and again in 2001. He also served as Alderman from 1961 to 1969 and later as City attorney for Eupora, Walthall, and Mathiston.
He also served on the Natchez Trace Electric Power Association Board of Directors for a total of 31 years and was President of the Board from 2006 until his resignation in 2013.
Mr. Fortner was an active member of Eupora First United Methodist Church of Eupora where he served in various leadership positions and in the church choir.
In 2010, Mr. Fortner received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his work on the Webster County Development Council. This award was in recognition of his many years of service as past President of the Webster County Development Corporation and President of the White’s Creek Development Corporation which built and developed White’s Creek Lake and the surrounding residential areas bringing to fruition the vision of his father for a lake in Eupora.
During Mr. Fortner’s career, he developed Magnolia Heights Subdivision, Hill Street, Westwood, and White’s Creek East and West Subdivisions. Over 200 homes were built in Eupora and Webster County under his guidance.
Funeral services for C. P. “Pete” Fortner, Jr. are Friday, February 11, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Eupora City Cemetery. The funeral is for family and close friends only due to precautions for COVID.
Wise Reed Funeral Home of Eupora was in charge of all funeral arrangements. You may go online and sign the guest register or leave a message of condolence for the family at www.wisereedfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Eupora First United Methodist Church at euporafirstmethodist.org, to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org., or to the charity of your choice.