Sarah Elizabeth Fortney

Sarah Elizabeth "Betty" West Fortney, 92, died of natural causes at home Monday, July 28th with family by her side. She was a caring and devoted sister, wife, mother, nurse and friend, born with a kind, gentle spirit, who was unfailingly polite, to the last day of her life. Born April 11, 1922 to parents Walter Wesley West and Ella Agnes Miller West on the family's dairy farm in Mocksville, NC, she was the sixth of eight children. She was preceded in death by her husband, J.L. Fortney, her parents, beloved brothers Walter Miller, Lonnie Gray and Luther Wilson West and cherished sisters Virginia, Jessie and Lois. She is survived by her daughter, Lindalee Fortney Thomas of Maryville, brother Roland Henry West and wife Betty, and sister-in-law Ostine West, all of Mocksville, NC, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, each of whom she loved greatly. After graduating from the nursing diploma program at Winston-Salem's City Memorial Hospital, she was employed as a Registered Nurse for the Georgia Baptist Children's Homes, Baptist Hospital of Memphis and Santa Monica Hospital. After her family moved from California to Maryville in 1962 she worked 23 years at Blount Memorial Hospital, primarily as night-shift charge-nurse on Pediatrics, retiring in 1986. She loved God, always seeking to live her life by His principles and was a member of First Baptist Church of Maryville for more than 50 years (Lydia-Hope S.S. Class). After retirement she volunteered in the church nursery and visited church members who were homebound or in nursing homes. She enjoyed many trips and good-times with the FBC "Golden Agers." Thanks to the staff of Wellington Place of Maryville whose care and kindness enriched her life for 3 years before she returned home for a year with her daughter. In her last 12 months she drank plenty of coffee, ate lots of – everything – and enjoyed watching her 3 bird-feeders. Dr. Scott Gardner, Dr. Peter Scott and Dr. Marvin Beard: your expertise put pep in her step as long as possible. Thanks also to Dr. Teresa Catron and Mary Walker, FNP. Elissa Evans, family in all ways except blood, thank you for sharing more than 40 years of birthdays and holidays with Elizabeth and your help in countless ways. The family will receive friends 2 to 4 pm on Saturday, August 2, followed by the funeral at 4 pm, at Smith Mortuary. The Reverend Charles Ballard will officiate with Mrs. Peggy Rogers as pianist. Following the funeral friends are invited for coffee and cookies in the Life Event Center. A memorial service will be held next week at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church, Mocksville, NC, which she attended as a child. Remains will be interred in the church cemetery near other family members. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Maryville "Family Life Center" Building Fund or to Blount County "Meals on Wheels," c/o BCCA, 3509 Tuckaleechee Pike, Maryville, TN 37803. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Sarah Elizabeth Fortney please visit our Sympathy Store.