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Donald S Fortner
June 10, 1950 ~ April 29, 2020
Pastor Donald Stewart Fortner, 69, went home to be with the Lord on April 29, 2020 at his residence in Danville. Born June 10, 1950 in Bladen County, NC to the late Claude and Mary Harrellson Fortner. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his sister, the late Juanita Disher.
After graduating Piedmont Bible College, Donald was pastor of Lookout Baptist Church in West Virginia. He moved to Danville in 1980 where he pastored Grace Baptist Church for 40 years. Donald ensured that his ministry would continue through CD’s and DVD’s that have been distributed throughout the world and by authoring thousands of hymns and more than 20 books.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Shelby Peters Fortner; a daughter, Faith (Doug) Hacker of Lexington; two grandchildren, Audrey Grace and William Stewart Hacker; two sisters, Jean Wilson (Jimmy) of Winston Salem, NC and Patty Parrish (Ken) of Johnson City, TN; and several nieces and nephews.
Private services will be held.
Memorial donations are suggested to Grace Baptist Church. Hugs from Home and condolences available at www.stithcares.com.
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Many wonderful memories of messages & times together. Love to Shelby,Faith, Doug, Aubrey Grace & Will. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Just as Christ is, Don has appeared, before God’s throne, without one fear. Looking on him, in Christ His Son, God has said to Don Fortner, Well Done! Happy for him, while our hearts break here. We’ll miss him terribly for a long, long time.
A great pastor and friend beloved by his church family will be truly missed love the Sadler’s
Sorrow for the family and all of us us who loved him. Joy unspeakably for God\’s Grace in graduating Brother Don to eternal communion with Christ. He indeed finished his course and proclaimed and kept the faith. All glory to our Lord Jesus Christ.
Heaven’s gain is our loss.
Heaven’s gain is our loss.
Heaven’s gain is our loss.
You will be greatly missed.
I met brother Fortner through my Uncle Bobby Estes and my cousin Shante Birchum. I live in Pennsylvania. I attended Brother Fortner\’s services when I visited my relatives in Kentucky. I have never ever heard anyone preach the bible like he does. He absolutely gripped me with his words, passion and love for the Lord. I have listened to his Sunday sermons here in Pa. His sermons woke me and drove me to a deeper understanding of Gods word in the Bible. My deepest condolences and prayers for Shelby and their family and church family. May you all have peace knowing Brother Fortner is with our Lord.
Our hearts are heavy as we
Don and I met when I was just a teenager and a young preacher. We were at Hillcrest Baptist Church when we were in college together. We both then moved to West Virginia and pastored very near each other for several years. Don was like a big brother to me and a mentor in so many ways. We spent many hours and good times together especially there in West Virginia. We traveled and preached together in Jamaica on several trips. Even though our paths went separate ways in the early 80s, I have always treasured our friendship and will miss my brother very much. I am glad he is perfectly well now and rejoicing in the presence of our Lord. My love to Shelby and Faith and all the family.
I will miss you dear brother
Lots of compliments could be addressed to Don the person but he would be most honored by saying he loved the Lord. I am pleased the Lord allowed our paths to cross.
Shelby, you are in my prayers.
Shelby, you are in my prayers.
There are not enough words to express the love and appreciation we shall always hold in our hearts for Don Fortner. His friendship was immeasurable; his guidance , teachings, and labors in the study of the word of God that he vigorously declared to all of us, were such a vital part of our Lord and Savior\’s revelation of Himself to us, and we shall always be thankful to our Lord for placing him in our lives. Today Don stands in amazement as he beholds what he spent his life\’s work declaring. We shall always cherish every memory we were privileged to enjoy with Don and Shelby and Faith, Doug, Audrey Grace, and Will and the congregation at Danville.
Shelby and Family, The Butler family sends our deepest condolences to you. I know how hard it is to lose a husband, father, and friend. I have many fond memories of Don and his faithful preaching of the word. May we all continue to be blessed by his many writings and sermons. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Carolyn Howard
Forever thankful for the many
Forever in our hearts!
My sincere condolences to Brother Fortner\’s wife, family, friends and the Grace baptist church congregation./family. I heard Brother Fortner preach a number of times when I visited family in Kentucky and attended church with them. I was gripped by his sermons. He made such an impression on me. Brother Fortner\’s words and sermons (I have watched him here in Pennsylvania) have taught me so much about the Bible and my relationship with our God. I wish you all peace during this hard time. Sending healing prayers.
So sorry for your loss. I will keep your family in my prayers. Don was a wonderful man. A great father. I have many fond memories of him and his family. I am sure he will be greatly missed.
What a blessing Brother Don\’s life and messages have been to my soul over the past 10 years. May Christ Himself be the strength and hope to Don\’s wife, family and Grace Baptist Church.
A great man of God. He will be greatly missed. Thank God for Salvation. \”Lord be with Shelby and family.\”
I was introduced to Pastor Fortner through Tom Harding\’s sermons, and was instantly edified by Don\’s powerful and godly messages of God\’s Sovereign and unconquerable grace. My condolences go to all of his family and loved ones at his loss, but I know full well that man ran the race of faith firmly and has obtained the everlasting prize in Christ Jesus. May God bring you peace and comfort during these troubled times, and reassure your hearts that this is not the last we shall hear or see of our beloved friend and brother Don. God has promised to raise those who have died in faith in union with His Son, and Don shall surely be there to greet us in the presence of our Lord and Savior as we share in shouts of praise and joy!
Pastor Don will be missed!