Frankie P

Fortson

Obituary

The Life, The Love, The Legacy of

Frankie Wilhelmenia Fortson

January 23rd, 1916 ~ August 18th, 2018

F rankie Wilhelmenia Philpot graced this world with her presence on January 23rd, 1916.  She was the younger of two daughters born to Richardine Gladman Philpot and Elmore Philpot.  She lived the majority of her life in Augusta, Georgia, the city of her birth.  Her early education was received at First Ward School. She graduated from Walker Baptist High School where she delivered the salutatorian address to her graduating class. She went on to graduate from Haynes Junior College in Augusta.

Eighty-nine years ago, at the age of thirteen, she followed the spiritual footsteps of her family and became the fourth generation to be baptized at the historic Thankful Baptist Church in Augusta. She was always very active in the church throughout her life. She and her family spent Sundays in church.  She attended the 11:00 service with her family.  At 3:00, she and her sister were on automatic pilot back to church for Sunday School. They stayed for BTU (Baptist Training Union) at 5:00 and Sunday evening service at 7:30. As an adult, she continued participating in Sunday School. She served on the Usher Board and worked with the Missionary Society.

She was married to Samuel Fortson of Elberton, GA. To their union was born two daughters, Sandra and Diane.

Frankie spent much of her life caring for children and later worked for the Murray Cookie Company in Augusta.  Although she was licensed in cosmetology,

she chose not to work in this field. She later spent a lot of time traveling between

Texas and New Jersey to visit her children and grandchildren.  She eventually moved permanently to New Jersey to live with her younger daughter Diane.

She began attending First Baptist Church of Englewood with Diane and soon became a member herself. Upon joining FBC, she became a member of the Missionary Society and the Senior Group. Being a part of both of these groups allowed her the opportunity to meet, work closely with, grow to love and respect many awesome FBC members.  In 2010, she was honored by First Baptist Church and the Women's Fellowship as the recipient of the Anna Award. On May14, 2017, She was honored by the Youth Ministry of her home church, Thankful Baptist as the Centenarian Mother of the Year for dedicated service to Thankful and for learning and living the life of Romans Chapter 12. She also made a choice to donate her house and land to the church.

Upon moving to Charlotte, North Carolina in 2017, true to her church covenant, she reunited with another church.  She joined Saint Paul Baptist Church. She completed the five session new members class so that she could attain full membership and was not deterred by the fact that she had to walk up a flight of stairs to get to the classroom at the age of 101.

She lived a long and fruitful life.  She is grateful to God for extending her life for 102 years and 7 months. She is grateful for family, church and friends.

Frankie leaves to cherish her memories two daughters, Sandra Jackson and Diane Shorey; five grandchildren, Taniqua Jackson, Tanara Boursiquot, Iishah (Gilbert) Hyatt, Booinca (Hakeem) McCray Tijani, and Dior Shorey; seven great grandchildren, Lawrence Predeoux, Lee Hyatt, Gilbert Hyatt, Jr., Arie McCray, Aric McCray, Anya McCray, and Aiden Muckle; two brothers, Elmore Philpot Jr., and Fred Philpot, two nieces and many loving cousins.

She is predeceased by her husband, Samuel Fortson; two sons-in-law, Alexander Jackson and Claudio Shorey .