Jane Pridgeon Fortner

          Loretta Jane Pridgeon Fortner, born May 27th, 1941, died peacefully on August 2nd, 2017, surrounded by her loving family after a brief illness.             Jane was born in Waco, Texas, daughter of Theron and Juanita Stovall Pridgeon.  Jane spent her early years with her identical twin sister, Judith Pridgeon Eidson, and brother James Joseph Pridgeon in Temple, Texas.  She attended church regularly with her family at First United Methodist Church of Temple where she enjoyed singing in the choir.  After graduation from Temple High School, she attended Baylor University where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Education.  In 1964, she married Dr. B. Ronald Fortner and eventually moved to Amarillo, Texas where she enjoyed raising her three children. In addition to taking care of her family, she also enjoyed her memberships in the Junior League of Amarillo, Dallas, & Waco, as well as being member of the DAR and Baylor Alumni Association.   After raising her children, she returned to Waco, Texas where she cared for her mother.  While in Waco, she was a member of Austin Avenue Methodist Church and the Waco Symphony Guild.  She enjoyed years of traveling to Aspen for the Aspen Summer Music Festival, hiking, and beautiful scenery with her true companion, Charles L. Sligh Jr. The two were proud Baylor Alum and enjoyed many Baylor sports games and alumni activities.  Jane was also very proud to be a life-time member of Baylor University Armstrong Browning Library Guardian Angels and “Fano Club”.  Jane was a wonderful grandmother, “Gigi”.  She was greatly loved by her five grandchildren.  She enjoyed attending and supporting their scholastic plays, dances, and athletic events.  She was one of their biggest fans and they loved her.             Jane is survived by her daughter, Cynthia Fortner Slade and husband Dr. Stephen G. Slade of Houston; her son, John Marques Fortner and wife Tina Burgan Fortner of Dallas, and her daughter, Rebecca Leigh Fortner of Dallas; her five grandchildren, Rachael Alexandra Bennett, John Marques Fortner Jr., Jacqueline Cecilia Bennett, Gracie Marie Fortner, and Isabella Monique Fortner.  She is survived by her sister, Judith Pridgeon Eidson and husband, Lamar Eidson, and their children, Margaret Eidson Reidlinger, and Melissa Jane Eidson, and three great nieces.   She was preceeded in death by her parents, Theron and Juanita Stoval Pridgeon and brother, James Joseph Pridgeon.  Jane Pridgeon Fortner’s lasting legacy is her selflessness and undying faith in God.             Visitation will be from 6-8 pm on Friday, Aug 11th at Scanio-Harper funeral home in Temple Texas.  The Memorial service will be Saturday, August 12 at First United Methodist Church of Temple at 1:00 pm.  Memorials may be sent to:  Armstrong Browning Library, Attention:  Christi Klempnauer, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97152, Waco, Texas 76798-7152. Click to support ABL.