Person Page - 446

Bonnie Sue Willis

• Birth*: She was born on 15 April 1931.^1,2
• Marriage*: She married James Isaac Fortson, son of James Thomas ('Jim') Fortson and Ruth Moore, on 23 November 1967.^3,1,2
• Death*: She died on 10 January 2007 in Elberton, Elbert County, Georgia, at age 75.¹
• Burial*: Interment was in Elmhurst Cemetery, 400 N. Oliver St., Elberton, Elbert County, Georgia.¹

• Last Edited: 14 Aug 2019

Julia Vickers Bowersock

• Father: Albert Curtis Bowersock b. 1874, d. 25 Sep 1950
• Mother: Mildred Naudain Crawford b. 1883, d. 6 May 1948

• Birth*: She was born circa 1914 in Baltimore, Maryland.¹
• Marriage*: She married Robert L. Dowell.²
• Death*: She died on 24 December 1968 in her home on Fox Chapel Drive, Baltimore, Maryland.²

• Note*: She graduated from Eastern High School (a public, all-girls school) and the Peabody Conservatory, both in Baltimore, Maryland, and for many years gave private piano lessons in a studio in her home. She was an avid golfer, a volunteer for a meals-on-wheels program in Towson, Maryland, and a volunteer office worker at St. Joseph's Hospital in Towson. She was survived by two sons, a sister, and a brother.²

• Last Edited: 24 Dec 2019

Robert L. Dowell

• Marriage*: He married Julia Vickers Bowersock, daughter of Albert Curtis Bowersock and Mildred Naudain Crawford.¹

• Note*: He was a wholesale feed dealer.¹

• Last Edited: 24 Dec 2019

Katherine Luckett

• Marriage*: She married Benjamin Johnson Fortson, son of Benjamin Cravens Fortson and Elizabeth Earle Johnson.

• Last Edited: 6 Jan 2020

• Charts: Descendants of Lt. Thomas Fortson Jr. and Rachel Winn

Nellie Phinizy Fortson

Nellie Phinizy Fortson Hull, from funeral home online obituary.

• Father: Rear Adm. Robert Malcolm Fortson Sr.¹ b. 26 Jul 1890, d. 29 Jul 1974
• Mother: Nellie Stovall Phinizy² b. 3 Sep 1894, d. 19 Mar 1989

• Birth*: She was born on 11 December 1924 in Atlanta, Georgia.^3,4,5
• Marriage*: She married Edward Whaley Seabrook ('Eddie') Hull Sr. on 25 June 1944 in Washington, D.C.^6,7,5
• Death*: She died on 13 January 2020 at age 95.⁸
• Burial*: Interment was in Oconee Hill Cemetery, 297 Cemetery Street, Athens, Clarke County, Georgia.⁹

• Note*: • She graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Jacksonville, Florida in 1941.
  • "In addition to raising a family, Nellie was devoted to Eddie and supported him in all his endeavourers, first on Edisto Island, South Carolina after WWII where Eddie tried to start a crop dusting business. Later Nellie and Eddie lived in England for two years where Eddie was a foreign correspondent. Once back in the States Nellie was general manager for Nautilus Press Inc., a publishing company started by Nellie and Eddie, during which time they lived on Kent Island, Maryland. Nellie also was instrumental in starting Uppershore Aging, an assisted living facility in Chestertown Md. and similar facilities in various cities in Eastern United States. Nellie received an award for the best Section 8 community of the Year. Additionally, Nellie enjoyed genealogy, interior decorating and restoring old homes for rent and resale. Finally, prior to moving to Harrisonburg, VA she lived in Chestertown, Maryland where she cared for Eddie until his death in 2007."
  • She was survived by four children, five grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, a great-great-grandchild, and a sister.^10,11

• Last Edited: 7 Feb 2020

Edward Whaley Seabrook ('Eddie') Hull Sr.

Edward Whaley Seabrook Hull, from his Find A Grave memorial.

• Birth*: He was born on 10 March 1923 in Washington, D.C.^1,2
• Marriage*: He married Nellie Phinizy Fortson, daughter of Rear Adm. Robert Malcolm Fortson Sr. and Nellie Stovall Phinizy, on 25 June 1944 in Washington, D.C.^3,4,5
• Death*: He died on 28 January 2007 in Laurelwood Care Center, Elkton, Cecil County, Maryland, at age 83.^6,7
• Burial*: Interment was in Oconee Hill Cemetery, 297 Cemetery Street, Athens, Clarke County, Georgia.¹

• Note*: • He attended the Forman School in Litchfield, Connecticut; graduated from Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, in 1939; and completed three years of bachelor of science curriculum at Union College in Schenectady, New York.
  • In World War II he served as a Marine Corps Reserve pilot, with duty in Iwo Jima. He was honorably discharged as a first lieutenant in late 1945. He was awarded the air medal.
  • He was a coauthor of Rocket to the Moon (1958) and author of The Bountiful Sea (1964).⁸

• Last Edited: 6 Feb 2020

Capt. Thomas Edward Fortson II

Thomas Edward Fortson from Boyd's 1973 Fortson family history.

• Father: Rear Adm. Robert Malcolm Fortson Sr.¹ b. 26 Jul 1890, d. 29 Jul 1974
• Mother: Nellie Stovall Phinizy² b. 3 Sep 1894, d. 19 Mar 1989

• Birth*: He was born on 25 November 1922 in Athens, Clarke County, Georgia.³
• Death*: He died on 23 March 2003 in Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida, at age 80.³
• Burial*: Interment was on 30 April 2003 in section 7, site 10339-I-LH, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia.³

• Note*: He served in the U.S. Navy from 5 Jun 1946 to 31 May 1975 and retired as a captain.³

• Last Edited: 6 Feb 2020

Bolling Spalding Fortson

Bolling Fortson Douglas.

• Father: Rear Adm. Robert Malcolm Fortson Sr.^1,2,3 b. 26 Jul 1890, d. 29 Jul 1974
• Mother: Nellie Stovall Phinizy^4,5,6 b. 3 Sep 1894, d. 19 Mar 1989

• Birth*: She was born on 7 July 1926 in Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia.^7,8,9
• Marriage*: She married Allen Harrison Douglas on 19 June 1948 in Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida.^10,9
• Death*: She died on 3 August 2016 in Cannon Wood Village, Tiger, Rabun County, Georgia, at age 90.^7,11

• Note*: • She graduated from Robert E. Lee High School, Jacksonville, Florida, in the class of 1944 and the University of Georgia in the class of 1948. She was a member of Phi Mu sorority, Thalian-Blackfrians, and the Junior League of Augusta, Georgia.
  • "She bought the first family boat in 1955, and spent that summer in a mechanic's garage learning about engines so that she could maintain her own boats. Always fearlessly independent, as a young mother she sailed solo from Augusta to Savannah on an 8-foot dinghy that she and her husband built from a Sears Roebuck kit. She completed the weeklong journey equipped only with her sail, oars, and supplies. She later trained in celestial navigation and became a licensed boat captain. At age 50, Bolling also became a private airplane pilot. Moving to Atlanta in 1962, the family spent every available moment afloat on Lake Lanier. The family owned a Chinese junk that was a fixture on the lake in the 1960s and 1970s. Bolling spent her last years of independent living on Last Dance, her houseboat on Lake Lanier at University Yacht Club. Bolling accomplished much in the male dominated marine industry. She had her own marine survey business, and in 1975 was the first female accredited by the National Association of Marine Surveyors. She often served as an expert witness in court. As a member of the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC), Bolling influenced boat manufacturing by recommending stricter technical and safety standards. She served on the ABYC Technical Board and countless project technical committees, was a past Chair of the ABYC Board of Directors, a past Chair of the ABYC Foundation, the 1992 winner of the James Lippman Award, and the 1999 winner of the ABYC Bunzl Boating Safety Award. Bolling played an important role in the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics sailing venue in Savannah as the senior marine safety expert. Unique to the event but no surprise to those who knew her, there were no marine accidents or personal injuries during those games. Bolling had a long and rewarding career as a volunteer in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. In 1979, she was the first female elected as district commodore, Seventh Coast Guard District Auxiliary. Shortly after she was elected district commodore, Bolling assisted with the deployment of Auxiliary personnel and assets in 'Operation Key Ring' as part of the 1980 Cuban Refugee Sealift. In 1978, Bolling and her crew were awarded the U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Plaque of Merit for pulling a burning boat away from the University Yacht Club fuel dock and releasing it only minutes before it exploded. In 1984, Bolling became the first female Auxiliary Qualification Examiner. During more than two decades, she traveled throughout District Seven and successfully trained and qualified hundreds of boat crew and coxswain candidates. Taught by her father that service was a proud journey, she exemplified that belief throughout her life."^12,13

• Last Edited: 8 Feb 2020

Anne Wright Fortson

Anne Wright Fortson Freeman, from her Find A Grave memorial.

• Father: Rear Adm. Robert Malcolm Fortson Sr.¹ b. 26 Jul 1890, d. 29 Jul 1974
• Mother: Nellie Stovall Phinizy² b. 3 Sep 1894, d. 19 Mar 1989

• Birth*: She was born on 30 December 1919 in Athens, Clarke County, Georgia.³
• Marriage*: She married Judson Freeman in January 1942.^4,5
• Death*: She died on 26 January 2015 in Florida at age 95.⁶
• Burial*: Interment was in Evergreen Cemetery, 4535 North Main Street, Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida.⁶

• Note*: Her family moved from Atlanta to Jacksonville, Florida in 1926. During some of her youth she lived with her maternal grandmother in Athens, Georgia, where she attended Lucy Cobb Institute for Girls. After graduating from Robert E. Lee High School in Jacksonville, she attended the University of Georgia.⁴

• Last Edited: 6 Feb 2020

Judson Freeman

• Birth*: He was born on 16 August 1914.¹
• Marriage*: He married Anne Wright Fortson, daughter of Rear Adm. Robert Malcolm Fortson Sr. and Nellie Stovall Phinizy, in January 1942.^2,3
• Death*: He died on 25 January 1989 in Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida, at age 74.^4,5
• Burial*: Interment was in section U, Evergreen Cemetery, 4535 North Main Street, Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida.¹

• Note*: He was a captain in the U.S. Army infantry for three years during World War II. He practiced law in Jacksonville, Florida for more than fifty years.²

• Last Edited: 6 Feb 2020

Allen Harrison Douglas

• Birth*: He was born on 25 May 1923 in Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia.¹
• Marriage*: He married Bolling Spalding Fortson, daughter of Rear Adm. Robert Malcolm Fortson Sr. and Nellie Stovall Phinizy, on 19 June 1948 in Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida.^2,3
• Death*: He died on 29 December 1977 in Fulton County, Georgia, at age 54.⁴

• Note*: • Allen attended Savannah High School in Savannah, Georgia, Armstrong Junior College in Savannah, Duke University, and the University of Georgia, receiving a bachelor of arts degree in journalism in December 1947. He was a member of Chi Phi, a college social fraternity, and Sigma Delta Chi, an organization of journalists now known as the Society of Professional Journalists.
  • He was a U.S. Army paratrooper in the European theater of operations, serving with the 517th Regiment Combat Team from December 1942 until discharged as a sergeant on 22 Sep 1945.
  • He was a vice president of Southern Railway and served as president of the Southern Industrial Council.⁵

• Last Edited: 8 Feb 2020

Elizabeth Ann Sanford

• Birth*: She was born on 15 June 1777 in Albemarle County, Virginia.¹
• Marriage*: She married Henry Head, son of Capt. Benjamin Head and Martha Marshall, in 1794.^2,1
• Death*: She died on 4 April 1873 in Sumner County, Tennessee, at age 95.¹
• Burial*: Interment was in Head Cemetery, Castalian Springs, Sumner County, Tennessee.¹

• Last Edited: 18 Jul 2020

Thomas Fortson Darby

• Father: Robert Milton Darby² b. 8 May 1914, d. 9 Feb 1992
• Mother: Mary Toombs Fortson¹ b. 4 Sep 1914, d. 16 Sep 2004

• Birth*: He was born on 30 January 1952 in Washington, Wilkes County, Georgia.^3,4
• Death*: He died on 15 January 2020 at age 67.³
• Burial*: Interment was on 8 February 2020 in Saint Patrick's Cemetery, Washington, Wilkes County, Georgia.³

• Note*: After graduating from Washington Wilkes High School in Washington, Georgia in 1970, he entered the University of Georgia, where he earned a bachelor of fine arts degree in interior design. He later obtained a master's degree from the Rhode Island School of Design. He was director of corporate accounts for Gucci from 1975 to 1988, then taught fashion merchandising at Marist College for four years, and from 1992 until his death was a residential real estate agent in the Westport and Norwalk area of Connecticut.³

• Last Edited: 5 Feb 2020

Mary Toombs Fortson

• Father: Laurence Ogilvie Fortson¹ b. 23 Feb 1889, d. 26 Nov 1955
• Mother: Marie Fitzpatrick² b. 15 Aug 1887, d. 6 Feb 1949

• Birth*: She was born on 4 September 1914 in Washington, Wilkes County, Georgia.^3,4
• Marriage*: She married Robert Milton Darby on 20 June 1942 in Washington, Wilkes County, Georgia.^3,5,6
• Death*: She died on 16 September 2004 in her home on East Robert Toombs Avenue, Washington, Wilkes County, Georgia, at age 90.⁷
• Burial*: Interment was in Saint Patrick's Cemetery, Washington, Wilkes County, Georgia.⁷

• Note*: • She attended business college in Atlanta, Georgia for a year after graduating from high school in Washington, Georgia.
  • She lived in Washington, Georgia all her life and a lifetime member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church there.^8,9

• Last Edited: 5 Feb 2020

Robert Milton Darby

• Birth*: He was born on 8 May 1914 in Lauderdale County, Alabama.¹
• Marriage*: He married Mary Toombs Fortson, daughter of Laurence Ogilvie Fortson and Marie Fitzpatrick, on 20 June 1942 in Washington, Wilkes County, Georgia.^1,2,3
• Death*: He died on 9 February 1992 at age 77.⁴
• Burial*: Interment was in Saint Patrick's Cemetery, Washington, Wilkes County, Georgia.⁴

• Note*: • He was a major in the U.S. Army Air Corps in World War II.
  • He first attended Florence State College in Alabama and continued college in Washington.D.C.^4,5

• Last Edited: 5 Feb 2020

Mildred Fortson

• Father: Laurence Ogilvie Fortson¹ b. 23 Feb 1889, d. 26 Nov 1955
• Mother: Marie Fitzpatrick² b. 15 Aug 1887, d. 6 Feb 1949

• Birth*: She was born on 25 August 1920 in Washington, Wilkes County, Georgia.^3,4
• Marriage*: She married Edwin Warren Anderson on 26 July 1941 in Washington, Wilkes County, Georgia.³
• Death*: She died on 27 April 2004 at age 83.⁵
• Burial*: Interment was on 28 April 2004 in Saint Patrick's Cemetery, Washington, Wilkes County, Georgia.⁶

• Note*: She graduated from the University of Georgia in 1941 with a home economics degree. The family lived in Washington, Georgia for a number of years and then Albany, Georgia; after a few years, they returned to live in Washington.³

• Last Edited: 5 Feb 2020

Edwin Warren Anderson

• Birth*: He was born on 14 April 1912.¹
• Marriage*: He married Mildred Fortson, daughter of Laurence Ogilvie Fortson and Marie Fitzpatrick, on 26 July 1941 in Washington, Wilkes County, Georgia.²
• Death*: He died on 2 September 1982 at age 70.¹
• Burial*: Interment was in Saint Patrick's Cemetery, Washington, Wilkes County, Georgia.¹

• Note*: • He was a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army in World War II.
  • He was a teacher and coach in Decatur, Georgia.^3,4

• Last Edited: 5 Feb 2020

Janet Fortson

Janet Fortson Walthall from Boyd's 1973 Fortson family history.

• Father: Rear Adm. Robert Malcolm Fortson Sr.^1,2 b. 26 Jul 1890, d. 29 Jul 1974
• Mother: Nellie Stovall Phinizy^3,4 b. 3 Sep 1894, d. 19 Mar 1989

• Birth*: She was born on 1 January 1928 in Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida.^5,6
• Marriage*: She married Frank William Walthall Jr. on 8 April 1950 in Jacksonville, Duval County, Georgia.⁵
• Marriage*: She married Donald Wynn Beaty.
• Death*: She died on 20 January 2020 at age 92.⁶

• Note*: She received a bachelor of business administration degee from the University of Georgia in 1949. She was a member of Phi Mu sorority and president of the Junior League of Macon, Georgia in 1959-60.⁵

• Last Edited: 11 Feb 2020