Frieda Fortner

Frieda “Jane” Fortner, a treasured mother, grandmother, sister, and sparkly presence to all who knew her, died on January 7, 2026, at the age of 84, surrounded by family in the comfort of her long-time home. 

A Thomaston native, Frieda was born on December 11, 1941 to the late Donald B. Fortner Sr. and the late Bernice Ferguson Fortner, as the eldest sister to two younger brothers, Don Fortner and the late Gary Fortner. Frieda won people over with her winsome, effusive personality, which only magnified her outer beauty. Peers awarded her Miss ROTC in 1957, a rarity for a freshman, and she graduated from R.E. Lee in 1960 with friendships that sustained the next six decades. 

Her curious, journalistic mind made her a lifelong learner.  A scholar of all things beautiful, Frieda studied art and music long after graduating Summa Cum Laude with her Bachelor of Arts from Tift College in 1979. Often underestimated but fiercely independent, she worked until late in life in various administrative and bookkeeping roles that belied her sharp wit and intellect. She traveled the world and played tennis to stimulate her need to be active in both body and mind. Her long, delicate fingers mastered the piano. Her talent won her competitions, but her joy remained in playing among family, gathering young and old around the piano to sing tunes that ranged from hymns to Broadway.  Whether it be music, art, food, or literature, she insisted one must consume at least one beautiful thing per day.

For many, she was the one beautiful thing people encountered in their day. Impossible not to admire, Frieda had an indomitable, effusive, magnetic spirit that softened the grumps, baffled the pessimists, and inspired the souls she met.  She made joy a choice and chose it in abundance every single day. If there was pain, fear, or sadness inside her, it was expertly stowed beneath a determined optimism and a swipe of lipstick. 

Frieda hosted Bridge games with her Southern gentility, lent her musical talents to the choir and handbells at Thomaston First Methodist Church, donated her time to organizations helping victims of domestic abuse, and cultivated more beauty and knowledge through the Garden Club. 

She sowed curiosity and kindness, and watched them take root over generations. Her most precious moments were spent during weekly Bible study with her three children, Kathy Hancock Ethridge (David - dec.), Angela Hancock Holguin (George), and Ronald Hancock (Rockelle), discussing God’s grace and unfailing love. 

God grew her family to five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and four nieces and nephews who adored and respected Frieda as the matriarch with an unbreakable spirit. As “Grandma” to Christe Ethridge Diez (Jorge), Lexie Ethridge Wray (Chad), Jeb Hancock, Luci Hancock Mize (Charlie), and Lainee Hancock Pitman (Jesse) and “Gigi” to great-grandchildren Maddie Wray, Bree Wray, Vale Diez, Claire Mize, and Daniel Mize, and “Aunt Frieda” to Stephanie Fortner (dec.), Jessica Fortner (Brandon), Skeet Fortner and Virginia Gwin Fortner, she demanded “sugah” in equal parts. She thrived amid the controlled chaos of four generations in a room and spent many a Saturday with them dressed in her red jersey to cheer on the Georgia Bulldogs football team.

She is preceded in death by her brother, Gary Fortner, brother-in-law Barney Hancock, sisters-in-law Cindy Fortner and Barbara Hancock, and niece Stephanie Fortner.  

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. from the Thomaston First Methodist Chapel. Burial will follow at Crystal Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Saturday, January 10, 2026, from 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of Thomaston First Methodist Church. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Thomaston First Methodist Church at 132 Cherokee Rd. Thomaston, Ga 30286 or to the Samaritan’s Purse at www.samaritanspurse.org in Frieda’s honor. 

Frieda’s striking green eyes and fiery red hair were simply the first layer to a richly textured woman of infinite talent and grace who navigated life with a certain savoir-faire. A woman that can’t be contained to words on a single page, her essence will live on in the minds and hearts of her loved ones.