Una Christine Winters Fortson

To cross paths with Una Christine Winters Fortson was to experience a moment of grace in its richest form. For those blessed to know her as a friend was also to know that, in her heart, you were loved as family.

Una Christine Winters Fortson, most recently a resident of Fayetteville, GA, was born on March 24, 1944, to Ralph Ulysses Winters and Una Estelle Lockwood Winters. She grew up in Clarksville, GA, and graduated valedictorian from Cornelia Regional High School. She attended Tuskegee University and Albany State, where she was actively involved in the civil rights movement.  Ultimately, she earned her BFA in Interior Design from Brenau University.

On Dec. 21, 1963, Una married the love of her life, Oscar Lee Fortson, Sr. (deceased). Together,

they built a flourishing construction business that they navigated through thick and thin. She later established her own interior design company. Their greatest source of pride and joy was the family they created and fully invested themselves in, above all else.

Both Una and Oscar saw to it that each of their four children’s interests were nurtured and supported – never missing a school play, talent show, debate, or sporting event. Deep faith in God and devotion to family were always the richly abundant, central focus of life in the Fortson household.

Una often said she was born to be a mother, and her family will tell you she was absolutely correct. Friends often quote her, “When I became a mother to mine, I became a mother to all children.” Even in the face of deep personal tragedy, including the loss of their eldest child to leukemia and later, the complete destruction of their family home by fire, Una and her husband Oscar put their remaining children’s safety and well-being first and foremost. The Fortson children grew up knowing they would always thrive and survive because they had each other, the love of their parents, and their deep faith in God.

For her children and extended family, having Una in your life meant knowing you were cherished, supported, and loved to the depths of her soul and back. It was knowing nothing you could ever do would break that bond or diminish her desire to make sure everyone in her orbit was safe, secure, and uplifted in her prayers every moment of the day.

As much as she gave of herself for family and friends, Una was always fiercely her own person – a proud nonconformist, dogged in her beliefs, but always willing to give due consideration to other’s thoughts and opinions.

She believed strongly in volunteerism and served on numerous non-profit boards. Una frequently gave her time to political and social causes, including teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) classes for newcomers to our country, as well as Grandparents & Kin, an organization dedicated to supporting non-traditional families.

Throughout her life, Una had an inspiring and unquenchable thirst for learning and discovery. She was an avid reader, belonged to two book clubs simultaneously, and frequently consumed as many as two to three books a week. She routinely participated in literature classes at the public library. She always believed in finishing a book out of respect for the author - even if it was not her cup of tea.

Una also loved music and the visual arts. As an adult she learned to play both the dulcimer and autoharp and always had both a piano and an organ in her home for children and guests to practice on and enjoy. Drawing and painting were also a passion – which she kept up even when confined to a hospital bed, in her final months of life.

Una Christine Winters Fortson completed her extraordinary earthly life on September 3, 2023. 

She was predeceased by her husband Oscar Lee Fortson, Sr., daughter Ona Estelle Fortson, parents Ralph Ulysses Winters and Una Estelle Winters, sister Lena Estelle Winters, and twin

brother Ulysses Clinton Winters.

She is survived by her son Oscar Lee Fortson, Jr. and his wife Camille Heath-Fortson (Fayetteville, GA), daughter Xernona Lynn Fortson (Fayetteville, GA), daughter Xernia Linette Fortson (East Point, GA), grandson Duncan Lee-Muchiri Fortson (Fayetteville, GA), and a host of

nieces and nephews.

Memorial Service will be held Saturday November 18, 2023 at 11:30am at Fayetteville Church of Christ in Fayetteville, GA.

Dexter T. Sims Mortuary, LLC, Gainesville, has charge of arrangements.