Marlyn Dell (McGuire) Fortner

Molly Fortner died Monday, November 7, 2022 at her home in Harrison, Tennessee surrounded by her family. She was 86 years old.

Molly was born Marlyn Dell McGuire in 1936 in Crittenden, Kentucky to parents Audrey and Marion McGuire. An only child who loved the outdoors and all animals, she once surprised her parents by bringing home a baby skunk. Her love of God and desire to serve Him brought her to Piedmont Bible College in Winston Salem, North Carolina. There she prepared for full-time ministry with a focus on elementary education.

Molly also met her husband Jerry Fortner at college, who was also preparing for ministry. They moved to Chattanooga where Jerry completed his training at Tennessee Temple and Molly taught elementary school. Molly and Jerry’s ministry reached many as they both taught and worked in different churches around Chattanooga.

Because of her love of teaching and learning she went on to pursue two Master's degrees in Education. A beloved teacher for over 40 years, she retired from teaching at the age of 73 having impacted generations of students.

After Molly retired from teaching, she continued to serve in ministry to the elderly and shut-ins of her local church, Bayside Baptist. Well into her 80’s she would speak of her joy in visiting the “old people” at local nursing homes. Her love for God and quiet service to others was sustained by her lifelong thirst to know God’s Word. Her children remember waking up to her open Bible and her knees bowed in prayer each morning.

Molly is mourned by her daughter Robin Morris (husband Nick Morris and children Zachariah, Abigail and her son Asher); daughter Regina Mullins (husband Robert Mullins, their daughter Rose Towry and husband Braxton Towry); and son John Fortner (wife Beth Fortner and children Molly, Grace, Audrey and Maggie).

A homegoing and celebration service will be hosted on November 10, 2022, at 2:30 p.m. at Chattanooga Memorial Park Outdoor Pavilion, 501 Memorial Dr, Red Bank, TN 37415. In lieu of flowers, Molly requested that donations be made to the Timothy Initiative at www.ttionline.org.

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