Johnie James Fortner died Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009, at his residence. He was 94.

Born in Yokena, he was the son of the late Ernest Charles Fortner and Mary Lena Walton Fortner. He was the oldest living graduate of Jett High School.

Mr. Fortner served in the 324th Army Air Force Base Unit from Oct. 15, 1942, to Oct. 20, 1945, with the rank of staff sergeant and from Nov. 1, 1946, to Nov. 11, 1964, with the Air Force with the rank of tech sergeant. He retired from R.G. Letourneau Co. as a machinist and later retired from the Mississippi School System where he taught for a number of years. He was a member of Grace Baptist Church.

He is survived by two daughters, Annette F. Harris (Charles) and Myra F. Crow (Jimmie), all of Yokena; one son, Roger J. Fortner of Yokena; and six grandchildren, Keith, Kenneth and Steven Harris and Denise, Renee and Kevin Crow.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Annie Ruth Fortner; a son, Terry Ernest Fortner; a sister, Genevieve Clements; and three brothers, George, Bill and Harold Fortner.

Services will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Yokena Cemetery with the Rev. H. Bryan Abel, pastor of Grace Baptist Church, officiating. Visitation will be from 5 until 7 p.m. Friday at Riles Funeral Home and Saturday from 1:30 p.m. until the hour of the service.

Pallbearers will be grandsons and nephews.

Memorials may be made to Grace Baptist Church, 1729 Hankinson Road, Vicksburg, MS 39180.