Funeral arrangements for Mr. Thomas Atlee Fortner, age 89, will be held Friday, April 25, 2025, at 11:AM in the sanctuary of Berea Baptist Church with Greg Wells officiating, with burial to follow at Highland Memorial Gardens in Jackson, TN, at 2PM. Visitation with the family will be held Thursday, April 24, 2025, from 5PM until 8PM in the sanctuary of Berea Baptist Church.
Bro. Tom passed away April 20, 2025 at Dyer Nursing Home and Rehabilitation. He was born May 19, 1935, to the late Henry Atlee and Estelle Dublin Fortner. At the age of 10 years old, he established the most important relationship of his life. He came to know the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. This relationship was manifested beautifully throughout his life.
He married his childhood sweetheart, Shirley Maxine Blassingame, on September 26, 1953. They served the Lord together for over 61 years. In early adulthood, Bro. Tom worked in several vocations…grocery stores, farming, clay mines, salesman, but his true calling came in 1959 when God called him into the ministry of Jesus Christ. From that point on, he never faltered from the calling that God placed on his life. He pastored churches in Western Kentucky and Western Tennessee. Bro. Tom pastored at New Concord Baptist church, New Concord, KY: Emmanuel Baptist Church, Murray, KY; and Faith Baptist Church, Humboldt, Tennessee. At each of these churches, God used him to build upon the ministry of other great leaders. Each church was flourishing when God moved Bro. Tom to his next ministry. However, the departure from Faith Baptist Church was a huge step of faith for Bro. Tom. Called moved him to establish a new church in North Jackson, TN. God blessed this church plan abundantly. Several years into his ministry at Emmanual, God led Bro. Tom to step out in faith again to lead a small mission in Trenton, TN. Once again, God blessed his church plant and Berea Baptist Church, Trenton, TN was formed. Bro. Tom led Berea Baptist Church until Maxine’s health declined to the point she needed constant care and he resigned from the pastorate.
However, Bro. Tom’s ministry was not over. He assisted churches in interim capacities while they were without pastors – Emmanuel Baptist Church, Murray, KY and finally concluded his ministry at Little Obion Baptist Church, Wingo, KY. Each of these churches was a great blessing to Bro Tom; however, Little Obion Baptist Church nurtured blessed Bro. Tom for several years as his health declined.
Throughout Bro. Tom’s ministry, the Word of God and worldwide missions were always at the forefront. Bro. Tom preached faithfully for 59 years. Many people came to know Jesus through his ministry. All who sat under his teachings were challenged to know the Word and be obedient it.
Bro. Tom will be remembered as a servant of our great God who was obedient and faithful until the day God called him home on Sunday, April 20, 2025 where he celebrated Easter 2025 at the feet of Jesus.
Bro. Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Maxine Blassingame Fortner and his siblings; Dorthy Darnell, Betty Johnson, Donna Ballinger, Marshall Fortner, and James Fortner; by one son, Neil Fortner; and by one son in law, Randy Honey.
Bro. Tom is survived by his children; Gail Honey, David Fortner and wife Karen, and Jennifer Nunley and husband Steve; grandchildren, Christy Ward and husband, Kevin, Danielle Crowder and husband Wesley, Sheila Wheatley and wife Nathan, Rachelle Obakozuwa and husband Leo, Marc Fortner and wife Nicki, Sarah Berry and husband Greg, Anna Guerra and husband Marco, Joel Fortner and wife Alysia, Elena Velasco and husband Josep, Ester Sopchak and husband Aaron, Elizabeth “Lisi” Sanchez and husband Xavi, John Mark Fortner and wife Alysia, Phillip Fortner and wife, Laura, and J.T. Nunle
