Born: July 19, 1919

Died: Nov. 27, 2012

Carrie Mae Fortner, 93, of Berrien Center, Mich., died at 8:43 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012 at Lakeland Specialty Hospital in Berrien Center following a brief illness.

She was born on July 19, 1919 in Malden, Mo., to Levi and Minerva (Connell) Phillips, and has lived in Berrien Center since 1941, coming from Manila, Ark.  She was employed for many years at the former Berrien General Hospital (now Lakeland Specialty Hospital).

Carrie was a long-time member of Berrien Center Bible Church.  She also participated in activities at the Berrien Springs Senior Center.

On Sept. 19, 1936 in Manila she married Elvin Fortner with whom she celebrated the 39th anniversary of their wedding, prior to his death on Dec. 28, 1975.  She was also preceded in death by her sisters, Mergie Wortham and Hattie Mae Moore, and brothers, Howard Phillips and Raymond Phillips.

Surviving family includes her sons, Jerry W. (& Martha) Fortner of Longview, Texas, and Kevin J. Fortner of Berrien Center; grandchildren, Ruth, Rachel, Paul, and Esther, and thirteen great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins including Judy Parris who helped provide her care.

The funeral service for Carrie Fortner will be at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012 at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles, Mich., with the Rev. Mark Smith of Berrien Center Bible Church officiating.  Interment will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Berrien Springs, Mich.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 until 8 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home.  Contributions in memory of Carrie may be made to the Berrien Center Bible Church.

www.halbritterfunerals.com