Eddie Michael "Mike" Fortner

Eddie Michael "Mike" Fortner, 71, of Gainesville died Tuesday February 21, 2023, at Northeast Georgia Medical Center Hospice after a brief illness.

A lifelong resident of the Corinth community, he attended North Hall High School, Gainesville College and Lanier Tech. He was a dear son and brother, who loved helping his family, neighbors and friends and the generation of cats dear to him.

Mike is preceded in death by his mother and stepfather, Clara and Charles Barnes, his father, Eddie Fortner, grandparents, Clara and Jeff Thompson, dear cousin Ruby Little, and friend, Frances Roberts.

Survivors include his sister, Patty Fortner Raley (Michael), brother, Danny Barnes (Lynda), nephews, Kyle Barnes and Chris Raley and niece, Marianne Raley (John) and their children. Dear friends, Doris Peck and Beverly Grier, were special to him.

Mike was a gifted mechanic, tinkering with engines of all sizes. He was a certified machinist, retired from Winsmith. He was a leukemia cancer survivor. Mike loved to share stories of his hunting club and his adventures as a teen going on his grandfather Jeff's rural mail route.

Funeral services will be held Sunday February 26, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of Little & Davenport Funeral Home. Rev. Milton Harris will officiate.  Interment will follow in the Alta Vista Cemetery.  The family will receive friends Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until the funeral hour.

Flowers will be accepted, but those desiring may make memorial contributions to the Humane Society of Northeast Georgia, 845 W. Ridge Road, Gainesville, Georgia 30501, in memory of Mike.

Those wishing to send online condolences to the family may do so at littledavenport.com

Little & Davenport Funeral Home and Crematory, 355 Dawsonville Highway, SW, Gainesville, Georgia 30501 is in charge of arrangements.