Anna Ethel (Fortner) Anderson
December 19, 1912 ~ January 24, 2012
Resided in:
Colorado Springs, CO
Anna Ethel (Fortner) Anderson, 99. On January 24, 2012, Heaven's gates were opened wide and one of God's special angels was welcomed home. Ethel was born December 19, 1912, to Benjamin and Nancy Jane Smith) Bailey of Preston, Ky. Greeting her in Heaven is Andrew Fortner her husband of 57 years; John Anderson her husband of 12 years; sisters, Cootsie Jane Bridgeman (Toots), Della Christian; brothers, Delmer, Garmie, Henry, Sterling Bailey; stepbrothers, Beechie, Herndon, and Hershal Bailey. Leaving behind to carry on her example to love the Lord with all your heart and to live for him everyday is her daughter, Marcy (Ed) Chapman, Austin, Texas; son, Thomas (Kay) Fortner, Colorado Springs; grandchildren, Rick (Margie) Thompson, Dallas Texas, Sherry Ries, San Marcos, Texas; Cindy (Larry) Henderson, Pueblo, Nikki (Bret) Poole, Pueblo, John (Patti) Fortner, Pueblo, Beth (Gerald) Baesch, Traverse City, Mich.; 14 great-grandchildren and 19 great-great grandchildren. Other relatives include nephews, Berle Spracker, Kenneth Clagg, George Cline; niece, Betty Wells; sister-in-law, Elsie Perkey; stepbrother, Shelby Bailey; stepsister, Saddie Bomette. Ethel was born in Red House, W.Va. living in West Virginia and Ohio until moving to Colorado Springs in 1978 to live by her son Tom. Andrew and Ethel were married Sept. 8, 1927, and had 57 loving years before his death in 1984. Never going to get married again God sent a wonderful Christian man her way John Anderson and they were married in Las Vegas Nov. of 1987. John passed away in 1999. Church was a very important part of Ethel's life. She taught Sunday School and led the youth at Westmoreland Methodist Church in Huntington W. Va. for 20+ years. Currently Ethel is a member of Central United Methodist Church being very active until her eyesight kept her from driving. Growing up fast after losing her mother at the age of 10, Ethel learned to sew. She could sew anything, give her the measurements and a picture and she could make it. Thank you to Sherry and Ken Jackson and Debra Rowland her care givers for all of the love and attention you gave her. Ethel was truly a witness for God, if you talked to her one time you knew her love for the Lord and her strong faith. BLESS HER HEART!! Viewing 10 a.m. Sat., Jan 28, 2012, Central United Methodist Church on Galley Rd. in Colorado Springs, service to follow at 11 a.m. Burial, Memorial Gardens in Colorado Springs. Online condolences, www.montgomerysteward.com
I loved Aunt Ethel. When we were kids, she lived next door to us on auburn road. She always made us neat stuff. I still have a red stripe cap with a pompom on the end. It matched a red stripe night shirt. The shirt is long gone… Most years I wear the cap Christmas morning. She will be missed. I will always remember the last time I saw her. She & John made the trip to Georgia soon after my son was born. Daddy was still alive & he & Mom came too. Boy. did we have fun. Thanks for the memories.. Love to all the family. Would love to meet grandson Bradley some day. Aunt Ethel & I talked a couple of times this past year about him & my son. They were both across the pond..I hope Bradley is home safe too.. To God be the Glory.
We are so very sorry to hear about the passing of your dear Mother and Grandmother. We always loved hearing stories from Cindy about her. She was a very special lady. Our hearts and prayers are with you all.
I am fortunate to have known Ethel, what a nice soul she had. I’ll miss her friendship and conversation. I’ll be reminded with a smile each Christmas as I set out to decorate with her home-made snowmen. My condolences to your family, as they will certainly miss your spark in their daily lives.
So many great memories of such a sweet lady from childhood and continuing for over 70 years. What a fantastic journey through life she had and what a better world because of her wonderful caring heart.
Marcy, Tom and Family,
Aunt Ethel was always my favorite. She taught my Sunday School class and could always explain God and the Bible better than anyone. She made me understand the joy of death when our preacher”s son passed on when I was very young and didn’t understand. She said”Lord child, he is in such a better place. He will never suffer again”. As we miss you now, it is truly a Celebration of your Life that you have gone Home to be with your Lord and Savior. You were more than a Sister to Mom(Elsie Perkey). You were and still are an Angel to her and to anyone’s lives you ever touched. Mom was four years old when you brush her hair and you made her dresses for school. All though you are sadly missed now, we look for to the day when we all get to Heaven and meet again.
Aunt Ethel let me play her piano when she lived next to the Parkette drive-in in Huntington, West Virginia. I was privileged to see her again in St. Petersburg, Florida in the early 1980’s. She took care of my Mom when my Mom was a little girl and Aunt Ethel always has a special place in our hearts. She always prayed for us. With Love, Elsie Perkey, Sam Perkey, Lynne Ellen Perkey, Cristine Perkey Gieszler. May God bless your family at this time.