Maxine Fortner

(From Parker Mortuary)

Bertha Maxine Fortner, age 83, of Joplin, passed away on Monday, December 11, 2017 at her home.

Maxine was born on April 4, 1934 in rural Grove, OK to the late Charles Mounce and Atha Mounce - Shobe.

Maxine married Earl Fortner on July 5, 1953 in Joplin, he survives of the home.

As a young girl she worked at the Shadow Lake Resort in Noel, MO, and later as a telephone operator starting out at Southwestern Bell, and retiring from AT&T with thirty one years of service.

In addition to her husband of 64 years, Earl, she is survived by her son, Ray Fortner, Joplin; a daughter, Linda Moss, Portland ,OR; one grandson, Curtis Moss, Portland, OR; one granddaughter Shelli Greer, Carlsbad, NM; two great granddaughters, Jaslyn and Cadance Harkness; a great- great granddaughter, Shonnalynn Harkness; one sister; Orne Surber, Anderson, MO and a sister in law, Cheryl Edgar, and her husband Allen, Flagstaff, AZ.

Memorial services will be held on Thursday, December 14, at 2:00 p.m. at Parker Mortuary, with Rev. Jeff D. Martin officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until service time.

In lieu flowers the family request memorial contributions to the Elks Christmas basket fund in care of the mortuary.