Martha Fortner

Martha Donahue Fortner, passed into the peace of God on Friday, Jan. 18, 2013.Born on Jan. 1, 1929, she was the eldest daughter of the late Edgar and Christine Godbey and was also the wife of the late Byron Donahue. She was a graduate of Red Bank High School, class of 1947 and was married to Byron Donahue for four decades and together, they had four children who still live in the area. She was also a member of Mount Zion New Covenant Church.Survivors include her second husband, Larry Fortner; three sons, Stephen (Janet) Donahue, Glenn Donahue and Martin Donahue; daughter, Susan (Jesse) Darwin; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sister, Nancy Ward, Merritt Island, Fla. and her two children and one grandchild.In 1991 she married Larry Fortner and had a second chance on love and life. Between raising two grandsons, running a farm, playing piano in her church and beach combing in Florida, Martha never stopped doing the things she loved to do. She died peacefully under the care of Hospice of Chattanooga and the family would like to say Thank You to the wonderful staff for all of your love and care. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Hospice of Chattanooga. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Hamilton Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from noon until 1:45 p.m. Thursday before the service at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, 5401 Highway 153.Please share your memories at ChattanoogaNorthChapel.com