Patricia Fort

Patricia “Pat” Elaine Bates Fort, 77, of Forsyth, GA passed away on Thursday, March 6, 2025. 

A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at 2:00 pm at Forsyth Presbyterian Church. Visitation with the family will be 12:00 – 2:00 pm at Forsyth Presbyterian Church. The burial will be private. 

Pat was born on March 10, 1947, and lived her entire life in Forsyth. She graduated from Mary Persons High School in 1965. During her time at MPHS, she played snare drum in the marching band. It was during her time in the band that she met the love of her life, a trumpet player named Robert. 

After graduating, Pat attended Georgia Baptist Nursing college for one year. She and Robert were married on July 9, 1966. 

Pat was a devoted mother to their three children. She spent much of her time volunteering at various events at Monroe Academy, including cooking supper for the football team every Friday night. She was lovingly called “Ma” by her six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, who were all her heart. She spent countless hours in the road and on the sidelines watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren play sports and other activities they loved. 

She instilled in her children and grandchildren the importance of family and taking care of each other, as well as being of service to others. She was also mom to many friends of her children and grandchildren. 

For many years, Pat played the organ for the Forsyth Presbyterian Church. While she was a very talented organist, she always missed the same note in the Doxology and made the same funny face when she did it. 

In the 1980s, Pat worked at The Flower Shop in Forsyth. She also later worked at Bonner and Russell Pharmacy in Forsyth. She courageously went back to nursing school in her late 40s and graduated at age 50 as an LPN. She worked for various local doctors and retired from Piedmont Orthopedics. 

After retirement, Pat enjoyed participating in Fingers of Love crochet group. She was active in the Al-Anon Family Groups around middle Georgia and was a source of wisdom and compassion to everyone she met. And she never met a stranger. She also loved planning MPHS reunions with old friends. 

Pat is survived her children, Lanie (Don) O’Neal, Wes (Leanne) Fort, and Kerri Lee; grandchildren Brent (Eddie) Jones, Katie (Tyler) Zellner, Hailey Jones, Robby (Kassidy) Fort, Gabe Lee, and Gibson Lee; great-grandchildren Lucy Grace Fort, Maddison Harrell, Isaac Jones, Lennon Zellner, Eli Zellner, and Marlee Kate Fort; brother Riley N. Dates; sister in law Brenda C. Bates; as well as her Al-anon family. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, PO Box 928, Forsyth, GA 31029, where Pat and Robert were proud members. 

Please visit www.monroecountymemorialchapel.com to express your condolences. 

Monroe County Memorial Chapel 86 West Main Street, Forsyth, Georgia, has charge of the arrangements.