Phyllis Irene (Cline) Fortner

Phyllis Irene (Cline) Fortner, 77, of Holton, Kansas, passed away Sunday, July 10, 2022, following a long illness.

Phyllis, born on October 30, 1944 to Elmer and Audrey Cline in Gilbert, West Virginia, was the 2nd of four siblings. She attended Gilbert High School, and was a cheerleader. 

Phyllis met the love of her life, Jesse Fortner, thanks to a randomly dialed phone call he made one day just for fun. They were married during a lunch break her senior year of high school. They were married 40 years and had two children, Sherry Gwen and Gary Kim. They would later adopt their granddaughter, Krystal, in 1987. Phyllis was a loving, caring and fiercely devoted wife and mother. She loved her family and she loved God. She was a member of Calvary Baptist church in Lenexa, Kansas for many years. 

Phyllis worked as a secretary at Gilbert Commonwealth. She spent many years volunteering at Maranatha Academy, where Krystal attended school. She loved to watch police shows and crime dramas. She also loved to keep in touch with friends and family by writing letters and cards. She rarely missed an occasion. 

Phyllis was preceded in death by husband Jesse Fortner, daughter Sherry Fortner, son Gary Fortner, father Elmer Cline, mother Audrey Cline, and brother Johnny Cline. 

She is survived by daughter Krystal (Tate) Maxwell, her 3 grandchildren Jack, Riley, and Arlo Maxwell, Holton, Kansas, brother Paul (Linda) Cline, Greer, South Carolina, and sister Patricia (Burl) Moore, Gilbert, West Virginia. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Phyllis’s name to Calvary Baptist Church, 8130 Lackman Rd., Lenexa, KS 66219.  

Visitation will be held at Porter Funeral Home, 8535 Monrovia, Lenexa, Kansas on Wednesday, July 13, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. The family will also hold a Visitation and Funeral at Mounts Funeral Home, 253 4th Avenue, Gilbert, West Virginia on Saturday, July 16.  Visitation will begin at 12 noon and Funeral Service at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Jamie Fortner officiating.  Burial will follow at Hatfield Cemetery, Sharon Heights, West Virginia. 

Phyllis was loved by all who knew her and will be missed greatly.

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