Brigadier Alta F. (Kinney) Forney, 85, was Promoted to Glory on October 26, 2019 in Newton, KS. She was born in El Dorado, KS on October 31, 1933 to parents, Pearl and Alice Kinney. She spent her life helping others through The Salvation Army. Alta was preceded by her husband, Lewis M. Forney; step-son, Major Richard Forney; and siblings, Jackey Melvan, George Lee, Tim Gordon, Mickey Pearl , Joy Junita, and Lucille Arline; sister-in-law Carol Kinney, brother-in-law George Harris, niece Susan Kinney Markham, and nephew John Kinney. Alta is survived by step-sons, Hal (Sharon) Forney and Major Jerold (Carol) Forney; step-daugther-in-law, Judy Forney; sister-in-law Sherry Kinney; grandchildren, Melissa (Adam) Cox, Mindy Forney, Shawn Forney, Scott Forney, Captain Shannon Forney, Michelle Forney, Dawne (Christopher) Curry, and Captain Richard (Linnea) Forney; great-grandchildren, Chalisse (Carlos) Botero, Cody Forney, Stephanie (Brian) Horn, Julia (Levi) McCall, Megan Curry, Shannon Curry, Sammy Cox, and JT Cox; great-great-grandson, Gabriel Botero; nieces and nephews, Jenny Harris Clark, Art Wegner, Cynda Wegner Green, Andy Wegner, Chri Kinney Snowbarger, Traci Kinney Crecelius, Stahli Kinney Claassen, Timi Kinney Barnes, Tiffanie Kinney Winger, Sara Kinney Stewart and Michael Kinney; great nieces and nephews: Alita Clark, Bailey Clark, Cody Wegner, Cassidy Wegner, Payton Green, Gavin Green, Rylee Wegner, Nick Wegner, Zachary Snowbarger, Hannah Snowbarger Wyatt, Luke Snowbarger, Andrew Snowbarger, Samuel Snowbarger, Bethany Snowbarger, Rock Snowbarger, Nathan Snowbarger, Joshua Snowbarger, Caleb Snowbarger, Chelsie Crecelius, Randin Crecelius, Emma Claassen, Alice Claassen, Payne Claassen, Allison Kennedy, Micah Kennedy, Taylor Winger, Ethan Winger, Jacob Stewart, Madelyn Stewart, Chase Stewart, Ty Stewart, Aidan Kinney,Charlotte Kinney and Stella Kinney; great great nieces and nephews: Zachary Snowbarger Jr., Liam Snowbarger, Reid Snowbarger, Mahlon Snowbarger, Blaise Snowbarger, Eden Wyatt, Ezreal Wyatt and Addilynn Muhlhauser. She graduated from El Dorado and attended The Salvation Army School for Officer’s Training in Chicago, IL. Alta was commissioned as a Salvation Army Officer and ordained minister in 1955, with the rank of probationary Lieutenant. In 1960, she was promoted to the rank of Captain. She had 5 Corps appointments and was then appointed to the Training College from 1965 to 1974, where she helped to train many officers. Alta was then promoted to Major. She served at two Salvation Army Retirement Homes before being appointed the Divisional Youth Leader in Chicago, IL. From 1978-1982, she was the Administrator of the Salvation Army Emergency Lodge. (A 200 bed facility serving homeless families.) From 1982-1983, Alta was the Commanding Officer of The Salvation Army for Porter County, IN. On October 8, 1983, Alta married Brigadier Lewis Forney. 1984-1988, she was the Director of The Salvation Army Emergency Lodge/ Emergency Services in Wichita, KS. 1988-1996, Alta was the Director of Special Services at Divisional Headquarters in St. Louis, MO. In 1996, Lewis and Alta moved to Warsaw, MO. During part of that time, she was a Chaplain for Hospice. In 2000, they moved to Wichita and continued as faithful soldiers. After Lewis’ death, she continued attending the Corps as long as she was able. Alta will be dearly missed by her family. Three of her grandchildren are Salvation Army Officers who are carrying on her legacy. Funeral service will be 10:00 am Wednesday October 30, 2019 at The Salvation Army Citadel, with visitation one hour prior. Memorials may be given to The Salvation Army Citadel, 1739 S. Elpyco St., Wichita, KS 67218.
