Farris Fortner

NEOSHO -- Farris DuFay Fortner, 89, entered into rest on March 8, 2013, at Freeman Neosho Hospital in Neosho, following a short illness. He was born on July 7, 1923, in Shirley, Ark., to Glover Montrose and Ruth Ermoine (Brown) Fortner.

The family moved into the Delta area of Southeast Missouri (also known as the Missouri Bootheel). He graduated from high school in Gideon. Farris farmed with his father until the loss of his right hand in a farming accident. He taught school for several years while attending college during the summer. Farris graduated from Murray State University in Murray, Ky., where he met his wife, Anna French.

Continuing to teach, Farris attended graduate school during the summers until receiving his Master's in Education Degree from Arkansas State University. Farris served as high school principal in Anniston and Leadwood, before moving to Crocker, where he served as superintendent of schools for 13 years.

Retiring from teaching in Missouri, Farris returned to Arkansas where he worked as school librarian at various schools before retiring a second time. He then returned to Missouri, living with his wife in Sarcoxie from 1990 until April, 2009, when they moved to Neosho.

Farris collected clocks and enjoyed tinkering with them. He was an active Gideon, and when in Sarcoxie, he volunteered regularly at the Taylor Museum. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Neosho and earlier in life, served as a deacon in Poplar Bluff and Parkin, Ark.

Farris married Anna Elizabeth French Fortner on June 3, 1951, in Princeton, Ky., and she survives.

He is also survived by his children, Janet M. Dyer and husband, Charles of Houston, Mo., Farris David Fortner and wife, Debbie of Sullivan, George Fortner and wife, Connie of Neosho; grandchildren, Brian L. Dyer and wife, Pam of Tulsa, Okla., Laura A. Stitt and husband, Dan of Springfield, Angela Blaxton and husband Malachi of Enid, Okla., Aimee Stinnett and husband, Corey of Webb City; great-grandchildren, Alexander Dyer, Madalene Dyer and Damien Dyer all of Tulsa, David Stitt and Hannah Stitt of Springfield, Corbin Stinnett and Owen Stinnett of Webb City; siblings, Wilson "Wallace" Fortner of Shoreline, Wash., Mary Ruth Harris of Tuscaloosa, Ala., Lanore Godsey Taylor of Sikeston, Doris McDaniel and husband, Bill of Warner Robbins, Ga.

Farris is preceded in death by his parents; his infant daughter, Doris Jean; three brothers, William M. Fortner, L. Weldon Fortner and Horace Fortner.

Funeral Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 12, 2013, at Clark Funeral Home Neosho. The Rev. Sam Turner will officiate. Graveside service will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 13, at Stanfield Cemetery in Clarkton.

Mr. Fortner will lie in state Monday, March 11 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Clark Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, Neosho, and family will receive friends from 6-7 p.m.

Arrangements are under the direction of Clark Funeral Home, Neosho.

Online condolences may be posted at www.clarkfuneralhomes.com.

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The family is requesting memorial contributions may be made to the:

Gideons or Calvary Baptist Church Neosho, MO

c/o Clark Funeral Home

P.O. Box 66

Neosho, MO 64850

Paid obituary