Virginia J. “Ginger” Fortner, 66, of Bartow, passed away Monday, Aug. 20, 2012, at Palm Terrace Hospice in Lakeland of respiratory failure.

Born May 2, 1946, in Plant City, Mrs. Fortner was a resident of Bartow for 42 years, moving from Lithia. She was a human resources administrator with CF Industries for many years.

She was a member of Main Street Baptist Church serving as pianist, Sunday School teacher and mission director for many years. She was a member of Florida Woman’s Missionary Union serving as recording secretary from 1989-1994, Baptist Women Committee chairwoman, WMU Leadership Team Leader, area representative and regional consultant, Terry Missionary House Committee, Florida Baptist Children’s Home Committee, and WMU Scholarship Committee Leader.

Mrs. Fortner also served as South Florida Association WMU director, Mission Service Corps Missionary North American Mission Board member and Bartow Regional Medical Center chaplain. She was a member of the Bartow Lioness Club and Bartow Chamber of Commerce.

She was preceded in death by her husband, W.C. Fortner.

Survivors include her sister, Jane Saranko and husband Jimmy of Plant City; a brother, Bill Simms and wife Nancy of Tampa; and numerous nieces & nephews.

Family will receive friends Thursday, Aug. 23, from 6-8 p.m. at Whidden-McLean Funeral Home, Bartow.

Funeral services will be held Friday, Aug. 24, at 11 a.m., at Main Street Baptist Church, 1140 E. Main St., Bartow.

Memorials may be made to Florida Baptist Children’s Homes, P.O. Box 1870, Lakeland, FL 33802. Condolences to the family may be made at www.whiddenmcleanfuneralhome.com.