Ray Fortner, affectionately called Ray Buster by his family, despite his insistence that was not his name, was born October 5, 1947 in the Pump Hollow area of Speedwell, TN to Ruth (Carey) and Erastus Fortner. Raised on the family farm, he learned early the value of hard work, sacrifice, and how to be frugal. After completing the eighth grade, he left school to work alongside his father and brothers on the farm, lessons and values that remained with him throughout his life. He was the youngest son and next to the youngest of ten children. He loved his family and extended family deeply.
Most importantly, he began his personal relationship with the Lord as a young boy and remained faithful even unto death. His faith and values were not merely spoken, but practiced and lived out daily. Through every hardship, he believed firmly in the power of prayer and its ability to change things.
Ray met the love of his life, Margaret Ann Vaughn, and the two were married on August 22, 1970. Together they built a life and home in Tazewell where they raised their three daughters, welcomed grandbabies, created countless memories, and where, ultimately, the Lord called him to his final and eternal home. For over 55 years, Margaret was his sweetheart, partner, traveling companion, safe place, and best friend. Her loss is immeasurable. To his children and grandchildren, he was far more than a father and Papaw. He was a protector, a steady hand, a reliable constant, and the strong foundation upon which they built their own lives. He lived for his family and fought long and hard for the chance to make more memories with them even when the battle was hard.
He is a member of Sunrise Baptist Church since 1982 where he served as a Trustee. His church meant the world to him and truly became an extension of his own family. A welder by trade, he retired from T.D.O.T. bridge crew, leaving behind close friends he made during his time there. He enjoyed treasure hunting at flea markets and saw value in things others, including his wife, didn’t always appreciate. Many in the community knew Ray from selling peaches and produce in his later years, and for the peppermints he always carried to share. He was known for his no-nonsense nature, a man who said what he meant, lived what he believed, and never left anyone wondering where he stood. He lived a simple, blessed life. He valued honesty, hard work, and doing what was right. He was selfless and would gladly give anyone who needed it whatever he had to give, whether it was his last honey bun or his last dollar.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings, Leila (Tommy) Thompson, Lillie (Ray) Lasley, Frank (Clearcie) Fortner, Theodore Fortner, Landon (Hazel) Fortner, Clay Fortner, Mable (Frank) Leyes, and infant sister, Cleo Ellen; as well as his parents-in-law, Rev. Garret and Bonnie Vaughn.
Left behind to cherish the memories and cling to the promise they have to join him one day down the road are his wife of 55 years, Margaret Ann Fortner; his daughters, “the three Cs,” Cynthia (Johnny) Logan, Crystal (Lennie) Patton, and Carla (Craig) Brewer; and his beloved grandchildren, Kayla (Derek) Franklin, Connor (Sarah) Buis, Mikinlea “the Princess” (Jackson) Bledsoe, Josef Buis, Cryslenn Patton, Landree Brewer, Ridge Brewer, and Josie Brewer; great-grandchildren, their “stars,” Raleigh Buis and Mazie Ann Franklin; his baby sister Eula (Ray) Hildebrand and sister-in-law, although he considered her a little sister, Lola (Stanley) Davis; sister-in-law, Virginia Fortner; numerous nieces and nephews, many of whom he loved as his own children, along with countless extended family members, friends, former coworkers, neighbors, and his cherished church family.
The family extends special thanks to the caring medical professionals of Amedisys for the compassion and excellent care shown to Ray during his final months.
Visitation will be held Sunday, May 24, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Sunrise Baptist Church, with funeral services to follow. Burial will be in the Irish Cemetery in Tazewell.
Officiating minister: Rev. Sam Griffin; reading the obituary and offering prayer, Rev. Lance ("City Boy") Estes, both he considered two of his church "kids"; Music will be provided by his granddaughters accompanied by Jackson, with the congregation singing his favorite hymn, “Farther Along,” as well as a recording of “I’ll Take the Road I Know,” sung by his late friend, like-family, Myrtle Meyers.
Pallbearers will include his grandsons, grandsons-in-law, and nephews, including Jerry Fortner, Keith Fortner, Glenn Lasley, and Daniel Leyes. Honorary pallbearers are the Deacons of Sunrise Baptist Church: Paul Griffin, Matt Rodgers, Ed England, Dearl Henard, Brad Dyer, and Ronnie Ellison.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ray’s memory to the local Crusade for Christ Ministry and/or to the Sunrise Baptist Church Vacation Bible School c/o Becky Gordan, PO Box 732, New Tazewell, TN 37825.
Coffey Funeral Home, where Ray once held one of his very first jobs and where he maintained many treasured friendships throughout the years, is in charge.
The void he leaves is great but the peace of knowing where he is in our absence is greater still.
