Fortner, Melinda Goad

Melinda Goad Fortner, 55, beloved wife, mother and friend, of Pulaski, passed away on Monday, January 30, 2006 in the Montgomery Regional Hospital, Blacksburg, Va.

She was born and raised in Giles County on October 11, 1950. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jasper Edward Goad and Edith Clara Goad, both of Giles County, and by her brother, Danny Grogen Perdue of Narrows.

Surviving are her husband, Marvin Fortner of Pulaski; daughters and sons-in-law, Tabitha Ann and Mark Woodward of West Palm Beach, Fla., Jennifer Lynn and Steve Bowman of Lynchburg, Va.; son, Steven Lee Donathan, Jr. of Pulaski; brother and sister-in-law, Larry J. and Shirley Goad of Pearisburg; sisters and brothers-in-law, Gladys and Joe Harrison of Christiansburg, Gail and Darrell Myers of Narrows; half sister, Dorothy Tabor of Christiansburg; brothers-in-law and spouses, Robert Matthew Dunn and Michael Dennis Dunn, both of Peterstown, W.Va., Stanley and Carol Fortner of Narrows, Roscoe and Terri Fortner of Birmingham, Ala., Arvin and Charlene Fortner of Peterstown, W.Va.; sisters-in-law and spouses, Lori Ann and Randall Dempsey of Peterstown, W.Va., Jean and Chuck Lucas of Lindside, W.Va., Janet and Bruce Blankenship of Lindside, W.Va., Ruby Diane Beasley of Rich Creek, Va., and Ina Sue Thompson of Pearisburg, Va.; five grandchildren; 23 nieces and nephews; numerous cousins; many special friends.

Funeral services will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. from Stevens Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Bishop Skidmore, the Rev. Pete Dunford and the Rev. Darrell Mann officiating. Burial will follow in the Dublin Cemetery, Dublin, Va. Visiting will be Friday evening at Stevens Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Arrangements by Stevens Funeral Home, Inc., Pulaski, Va.