Henry David Fortson Iii

A loving husband, father, son, brother, uncle, nephew, and friend to everyone, Henry David Fortson, III touched the lives of many in a special way.  He was born on a warm, sunny day, May 20, 1969, to Henry and Wilnita Fortson, Jr. in Kingsport, Tennessee.  He was the first of three children to Henry and Wilnita. On Saturday, July 2, 2022, God called him home; he is now resting eternally with the Lord.

Henry’s early education was at Abraham Lincoln Elementary School and Ross and Robbins Middle School in Kingsport.  He was active in plays, sang solo in the third grade, learned to play percussions (kettle and snare drums), and often performed in the concert band.  Upon moving to Thomasville, Georgia with his family in 1984, Henry attended Thomasville High School where he played the bass drum in the Thomasville High Marching Band.  He was also the ring leader of the highly active “Three Musketeers” (Henry, Greg, and Chris). He graduated in the class of 1987 and attended Valdosta State University.

Henry decided to move to Bakersfield, California where he lived with his Uncle James for a year under his mentorship.  He moved to Atlanta, Georgia in the early nineties.  He then began to work as a security guard in the prison system of Atlanta.  He also worked in store management for over thirty years in Atlanta, South Georgia, and North Florida.

At an early age, Henry received Jesus as his Lord and Savior, and joined Central Baptist Church of Kingsport, Tennessee, where he sang in the children’s choir.

Henry was preceded in death by his father, Henry D. Fortson, Jr., Uncle Edward (Eddie), grand-parents, Henry D. Fortson, Sr, and Nancy Fortson (Haines City, Florida), William James Varner (W.J.), Juanita Lorina Lee Varner (Americus/Moutrie/Thomasville), and Aunt, Betty Jean Fortson Bradley (Haines City, Florida).

He leaves to cherish his memories, his devoted wife, Alicia Fortson (Taylor); his adoring sons, Joshua David and Justin Da’Vonn; step-children, Terrell, Brandon, and Montoya; two step-grandsons, Jayden and Jakory; mother, Wilnita Fortson (Varner); Reginald Spaulding; brothers, Dennis Gregory (Terri) – Tucker, Georgia, and William Christopher (Statesboro, Georgia); uncle, Dr. James Fortson (Debbie) – Stone Mountain, Georgia; aunts, Sandra Dunbar (Thomasville), and Lathetha Fortson (Temple, Texas); niece, Sydney Joelle Fortson (Tucker, Georgia); and a host of other relatives, friends, co-workers, and classmates.