James R. Fortner

James Riley Fortner, age 78, of Higdon, Alabama, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET at Higdon Free Holiness Church with Brother Edwin Spurgeon and Brother Jody Gray officiating. He will be laid to rest at Oak Lawn Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends at the church on Friday from 1:00 – 8:00 PM ET and on Saturday from 12:00 until the service hour.

Faith, family, and hard work defined James’ life. He was a faithful member of Higdon Free Holiness Church, where he found great joy in worship and fellowship. James was known for his warm smile, friendly nature, and for always offering kind words to those around him, making everyone feel welcomed and appreciated.

James was a hardworking and dedicated businessman who owned and operated Fortner Scrap. He truly loved his work and the art of trading in the scrap business, taking pride in the relationships he built and the life he provided through his profession. While he didn’t have many hobbies, his life was richly fulfilled through his work, his church, and most of all, his family.

He loved his family deeply, especially his children and grandchildren, and cherished every moment spent with them.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 53 years, Judy Fortner; his children, Angela (Ralph) Williams and Shannon (Stacey) Fortner; his siblings, Charity (Chris) Lawrence, Ray (Sherry) Fortner, and Barry (Kelly) Fortner; brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, Ricky (Tonja) Holland and Jennie Fortner; his grandchildren, Shiane, Steele, Shade, and Aydan Fortner; as well as close family friends, James and Amy Miller.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James Aubrey Fortner and Mattie Mae Fortner, his brother, Kenny Fortner, and his grandparents, Harley and Bernie Fortner.

A faithful servant, devoted husband, and proud father and grandfather, James leaves behind a legacy of love, faith, and kindness that will continue to live on through his family and all who were blessed to know him.