George Wayne Fortenbery

NASHVILLE - George Wayne Fortenbery, age 83, passed to his Heavenly Home on Sunday, January 20, 2019. Born in Bessemer City, NC on May 24, 1935, he was the son of the late George Worth Fortenbery and Mabel Lois Beam Fortenbery. After graduating from Tryon High School, Wayne and four of his friends enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp and were able to continue their tour of duty together as they served in the Korean Conflict and in San Diego, CA. Wayne graduated from Belmont Abbey College where he met the love of his life, Carolyn Elizabeth Handsel, in chemistry class - where they found chemistry. Their first date was to a golf driving range, followed by a round of golf the next day. He always stated that he loved golf before he loved Carolyn. He loved to practice golf, play golf, and really loved to offer golf lessons to others - whether they wanted it or not. He was the Birchwood Country Club Senior Champion for four years, even after having by-pass surgery. He also served on the Birchwood board. After retirement, he spent many hours at his beloved Nashville United Methodist Church, where he was church treasurer for several years. He also volunteered for Meals-on-Wheels and spent many years building ramps for Community Christian Service Ministry, never knowing that he would be the recipient of one following a stroke eight years ago. He was a retiree of the Federal IRS after 30 years of service as manager of the Rocky Mount and Elizabeth City offices. Following his retirement, he helped many on the other side of an IRS audit as an Enrolled Agent. Wayne was a devoted Christian, husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. Wayne leaves behind to cherish his memory, wife of 58 years, Carolyn Handsel Fortenbery; sons, Gregory Wayne Fortenbery and wife, Janet, and Jay Handsel Fortenbery and wife, Mysi; daughter, Dana Nethercutt and husband, Barry. He is also survived by grandchildren, Grey Fortenbery, Sara Fortenbery Bozard and husband, John, Skye Fortenbery, MacGyver Nethercutt, Jackson Nethercutt, and Carolyn Nethercutt; sister, Louise Beane; and brother, Frank Fortenbery and wife, Sloan. A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, January 22, 2019 at 11:00 AM at Nashville United Methodist Church, 209 E. Washington Street, Nashville, NC 27856, with Pastors Ralph Brown and Luke Whitehead officiating. Burial will follow the service at Forest Hill Cemetery. A visitation will be from 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM prior to the service in the Sanctuary of Nashville United Methodist Church. Flowers are welcome or memorials may be made to Nashville United Methodist Church, P O Box 86, Nashville, NC 27856. Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com. Visitation Nashville United Methodist Church 209 E. Washington Street Nashville, NC 27856 Tuesday 1/22, 10:00 am - 10:45 am A visitation will be from 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM prior to the service in the Sanctuary of Nashville United Methodist Church. Service Nashville United Methodist Church 209 E. Washington Street Nashville, NC 27856 Tuesday 1/22, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, January 22, 2019 at 11:00 AM at Nashville United Methodist Church, 209 E. Washington Street, Nashville, NC 27856, with Pastors Ralph Brown and Luke Whitehead officiating. Cemetery Forest Hill Cemetery 350 North 1st Street, Ext. Nashville, NC 27856 Tuesday 1/22, 12:00 pm - 12:30 pm Burial will follow the service at Forest Hill Cemetery.