On a Fall day in September, in the year of 1969, the 20th day to be exact; Jimmy and Costella Fortner gave birth to their first and only baby girl. Naming her Cassandra Denese Fotner. Although her birth name was Cassandra Denese Fortner, she was affectionately known as “San”. San attended the Grady County Public School system for the majority of her education, from Grade school through high school, graduating with the Class of 1989. What she did not obtain at school, was definitely instilled at home. For “Big Jim” and “Stella” did not tolerate hard headness nor disobedience from any offsprings of theirs. As part of the Fortner family must haves and must dues, simply part of rearing their children, They, The Fortner family attended St. Mary AME Church as a family on most Sunday mornings, missing very few. Meaning Mother plus Father plus seven children. Still to this present day St. Mary AME remains their home church that they reside at under the leadership of Reverend Ronald Williams. San started out serving as a dedicated and faithful Usher, but later joined the St. Mary AME Choir. Still served faithfully, and gave God the Praise, as she did until God called her to rest.

There came a point in San’s life when she felt like it was time to be released from her parents wings and fly on her own. Cassandra started her own family, first by giving birth to her son Darry Caldwell. Not long after her first born came her second, first baby girl Shakyla Johnson, lastly her third born, second baby girl D’Andra Johnson. San loved her children as most mothers do; providing, protecting, caring for them unconditionally, in spite of how hard she felt their heads were. She could give them a look that said so many words without saying anything at all. Her children understood her motherly love and language. Her work career consisted of Warner’s Company, Seminole Marine, and Mids Transportation. Her work history consisted of her best years, and she worked diligently until her health restrained her from working five to seven days a week on an Employer’s clock. But if you  know San, as most of us do, she could not sit still, and had to something somewhere, to help somebody, somehow. (Some of yall still waiting on CDS).

When God called her home, the news was very hard to bare. Many hearts were broken, countless tears were shared. Memories filled the air, reminiscing about the times that were shared. “I remember when” we use to….she did this or that…. hit the atmosphere at her home and social media just like that. Cassandra leaves behind the family and friends that loved and cared for her dearly, more than any number of words could ever express. She leaves her parents Jimmy & Costella Fortner, Her three children: Darry (Keisha) Caldwell, Shakyla Johnson and D’Andra Johnson. Three Grandchildren: Jayden and Trinity Caldwell of Albany, Georgia, Keyon Smith of Cairo, Georgia. Six brothers, 5 resides in Cairo, Georgia: Jimmy (Teresa) Fortner, Jr., Gregory (Patricia) Fortner of Pavo, Georgia, Jeffery (Kimberly) Fortner, Reginald (Alinda) Fortner, Telly (Catherine) Fortner, Chris (Angel) Fortner. Her Grandmother Annie P. Gibson of Calvary, Georgia. Five uncles: Charles (Ludie) Gibson of Capitol Heights, MD, Kenny (Gwen) Gibson of Calvary, Georgia, George Gibson of Tallahassee, Florida and Jerome Gibson of Capitol Heights, MD, Johnny Howard (Sam) of Cairo, Georgia. One Aunt; Jacqueline Issac of Calvary, Georgia. Three God Mothers; Bobbie Williams and Alma Kelley of Cairo, Georgia and Hattie Tucker of Atlanta, Georgia. A Best Friend, Channon Ray of Clarksville, Tennessee. A host of nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends. Cassandra’s Grandfather Lewis Gibson, Sr. and Grandparents Howard and Vera Fortner preceded her in death.

If Cassandra “San” Fortner Johnson could say a few words right here, right now, it would be imagined that they would sound somewhat like this: What are ya’ll looking “UGLY” for???!! Don’t Cry for me, I’ve lived my life for now I’m free. Free from all the things that hindered me! No more pain and suffering; So do not question why? My God made no mistake when he chose me. I’m resting now, worry free, So momma, daddy, family, and friends don’t cry for me. I’m right where God wants me to be, resting looking in the sales paper to see what’s on sale for me. 

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