Mary Jane Bland Fortner

Mary Jane Bland Fortner, 90, of Vinton, passed away Monday, September 12, 2022. On Monday morning my dad and my sister came down from Heaven and took my mom’s hand to lead her home so she could be with her Savior and Lord. She was born in Gastonia, NC where she met the love of her life, Jim Bland. They were married for 50 years until Jim died. Never thinking she could find love again, God sent Frank to her and the light came back on in her eyes. They stood by each other for 18 years. In the last weeks Frank sat by her side not wanting to say goodbye. She loved to travel with Jim and then with Frank. She was loved by many and will be missed dearly.

She was predeceased by her husband, James M. Bland; daughter, Rebecca Eklond Delmedico; mother, Minnie L. Benoy Randolph; father, William Taft Benoy; sister and brother-in-law, Rosetta and Paul Leatherman; brothers, William Taft Benoy, Jr. and David E. Benoy, Sr., and nephew, David E. Benoy, Jr.

Surviving family includes her husband, Frank Fortner; daughter, Brenda Bland Kesler (Robert); sister-in-law, Nick Delmedico (Rebecca); brother, Gene Benoy (Ruth); sister-in-law, Peggy Benoy (David); grandchildren, Matthew Eklond, Christopher Eklond (Carrie), Nickolas Delmedico, April Kesler McDaniel (Charles), Brent Kesler (Tiffany), and, James Kesler (Brandi); great-grandchildren, Jarod Eklond (Melody), Janathon Eklond, Jenna Kathryn Eklond, Victoria Eklond, Justin McElhenie, Darik McDaniel, Ethan Kesler, Liam Kesler, Finley Robertson, and Tate Eklond; very special nieces and nephews, Cynthia Lail (Rick), Debbie Benoy (Tommy), Randy Benoy (Janet); step-children, Doug Fortner (Ann), and Dan Fortner (Allyson), and step-grandchildren, Jessica Fortner, Amanda Fortner, and Luke Fortner.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, September 15, 2022 at the Lotz Funeral Home Chapel in Vinton with Pastor Bobby Harris and Pastor Jason Gault officiating. Interment will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM prior to the service.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Jane Bland Fortner, please visit our floral store.