Oct. 11, 1929 – Dec. 12, 2013

NATCHEZ— Funeral services for Elbert Fort Sr., 84, who died Thursday, Dec. 12, 2013, at his residence, will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Melvin White officiating.

Burial will follow in Natchez National Cemetery under the direction of West Gate Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 4 to 5:30 p.m. today with a “Celebration of Life” wake service from 6 to 7 p.m. today both at the funeral home and from 9 a.m. until service time Friday at the church.

Fort was born on Oct. 11, 1929, in Adams County, the son of Benjamin and Susie Jones Fort.

He retired from International Paper Company in 1994 and was a faithful and devoted member of Pilgrim Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Gloria Fort; son, Elbert Fort Jr.; granddaughter, Brittney McGowan; two grandsons, Vernon Lewis Jr. and Jakarta Lewis; two sisters, Cordelia Fort Myles and Rosie L. Johnson; brother, Willie J. Fort Sr.; and niece, Willie Rea Stampley.

Survivors include two sons, Rudolph Fort of Vidalia, and William Fort of Smyrna, Tenn.; three daughters, Beverly F. Lewis and husband, Vernon, of Natchez, Wanda F. McGowan and husband, Calvin, of Memphis, Tenn. and Brenda F. Jordan and husband, Lonnie, of Houston; a dedicated nephew, Willie J. Fort and wife, Evelyn, of Natchez; nieces, Rosie Lee Myles McGowan, Betty Matthews and husband, Charles, Evelyn Woods and husband, Steve, all of Natchez, Barbara Minor and husband, Rev. Larry, of Jacksonville, Fla. and Carolyn Carthen and husband, Cecil, of Elk Grove, Calif.; a special granddaughter, Jasmine Jordon; a devoted friend, Ruby Lucas; 18 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and a host of relatives and friends.

Online condolences may be made at westgatefh.com.