Rev. Minnie J. Forts

Obituary

“Well Done Thy Good and Faithful Servant” Minnie Jones Forts was born on May 28, 1941, to the late Mr. Robert and

Mrs. Rosa Lee Jones in Atlanta, Georgia. She was the youngest of 5 children. Minnie was educated in Atlanta Public

Schools System matriculating through E.R. Carter, English Ave., Alonzo F. Herdon Elementary Schools and a proud

graduate of the Historic Henry McNeal Turner High School. She was employed with Southern Bell/AT&T and retired

after 30 years of dedicated service. Minnie earned a Divinity degree from The Interdenominational Theological Center

and has served as an Elder and Associate Minister. Minnie accepted Christ at an early age at Lindsay Street Baptist

Church under the leadership of Rev. H.M. Alexander. She enjoyed attending Sunday School taught by Mrs. Louise Ellis.

As God ordered her steps, she was led to serve and worship at New Ground Church of God In Christ, under the

leadership of Elder M.E. Stevenson and First Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Bishop C.L. Carter.

Her continuous love of Christ brought her back home almost 60 years later, to Lindsay Street Baptist Church under

the leadership of Rev. Anthony A.W. Motley, where she faithfully served as an Associate Minister. Minnie met and married

the love of her life Franklin Sr. and they spent 65 wonderful years together. They were blessed with four children:

Franklin Jr., Brian, Rodney, and Sandi, and raised their family in the Poole Creek Community before moving to

Southwest Atlanta in the Chalet Peyton Woods neighborhood. She enjoyed spending time with her extended family and

traveling throughout the United States and abroad with her husband, family, friends and travel groups. Additionally,

she enjoyed participating in activities at the Harriett G. Darnell Senior Center where she and her sister, Helen, were an

intricate part of the Drama Team. Rev. Forts was a life member in the National Association of Negro Business and

Professional Women's Clubs, Incorporated. She served as the past Governor of the Southeast District, NANBPWC, Inc,

past President and current Treasurer of the Greater Atlanta Club, NANBPWC, Inc, in addition to serving on multiple local,

state and national committees within the organization.

Rev. Minnie Forts was preceded in death by her parents: Robert, Sr. and Rosa Lee Jones; her husband,

Franklin Forts, Sr.; two brothers: Robert Jones, Jr. (Sara) and Freddie Jones; sisters: Mary Eppinger (Carneal) and

Helen Fleming (Oscar); sisters-in-law: Elizabeth Callahan, Patricia Jenkins, Linda Chapman, and Lillie Joyce

Forts-Sutton; brother in-law; Larry Forts; and niece, Tia Fleming.

She leaves to cherish her memory, children: Franklin E. Forts, Jr. (Jennie), Brian G. Forts (Kellie), Rodney L. Forts (Lisa),

Sandi J. Forts-Walker and Tonya Wiggins (Michael); grandchildren: Crystal T. Walker, Diandra Sims (Eric), Elijah Forts,

Jeremiah Forts, Leah Forts, Harper Forts, Eleanor Forts, Michael Wiggins, Jr. (Krystina), Juston Wiggins and

Jerek Wiggins; great-grandchildren: Jayson, Jaeda, Erynn, Austin, Kobi and Rodney; sisters-in-law: Terry Jones

and Carolyn Harris (Zack); brother-in-law, John Forts; goddaughter, Jackie Ray; special/beloved nephews: Rev. Dr.

Regynal Eppinger (Phyllis), Micheldron (Joyce), Trent Forts (Carla), Darrell Jones and Terrence Eppinger Wentz;

special/beloved nieces: Dr. Delfranece Eppinger, Dr. Chuanitra Merrell, Dr. Juléa Eppinger, Micatta Eppinger Henderson,

Sandra Floyd, Shirley Jones-Reid, Jennifer Jones, and Francette Hammond; beloved great-nieces and nephews:

Reggie Eppinger (Felicia), Mikia Holts (Jerome), Michael Miller, Mariah Tibbs (Cheryl), Menterson Eppinger, Chuandelai

Harris, Khoryandra Harris, Kephren Harris, Monique O’Quinn (Charles), Jerremy Eppinger, and Daniel Kelley; and a host

of dearly loved great/great-great nieces and nephews, cousins, church family, neighbors and friends.

Acknowledgements

The family of Rev. Minnie J. Forts would like to express our sincere gratitude and love to our many friends and family

members for all of your many prayers, calls, text messages, visits and acts of kindness shown to our mother, grandmother, 

aunt, and cousin. We would like to offer a very special "Thank You" to Rev. and First Lady Motley, The Lindsay Street 

Baptist Church Family, Dr. Rhee and The Piedmont Cancer Institute, Bishop C.L. Carter and First Missionary Baptist 

Church, Chalet Peyton Woods Association, Nurse Doreen Malcolm and Wellstar Hospice, The Greater Atlanta Club of 

N.A.N.B.P.W.C., Inc., and Reggie Eppinger of Eppinger & Lewis Funeral Home.

May the Lord’s presence bring you peace that endures beyond