LINCOLNTON, GA. - Mrs. Mildred Estes Fortson, 94 years of age entered into rest on Saturday, March 27, 2010 at University Hospital in Augusta, Ga. The funeral service will be at 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 30, 2010 at the Lincolnton United Methodist Church with Rev. Dave Hinson and Rev. John M. Rhodes officiating. Interment will be in Pine Grove Church Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Dr. William E. Hogan, Tom Hogan, Joe Hogan,Tom Poland, Paul Nelson and Benjamin Nelson. Mrs. Fortson was a lifelong resident of Lincolnton and the daughter of the late Dr. William Henry Estes and the late Lina Harrison Estes. She was a retired educator after 37 years being the first Special Education teacher in Lincoln County. Mrs. Fortson received her diploma from Georgia State College for Women in Milledgeville, Ga and did her graduate work for special education at the University of Georgia. She was a charter member of the Lincoln County Historical Society that was organized in 1981, serving two terms as president; she worked from 1989 until 1994 helping organize the Lincolnton Historic Preservation Commission and was very instrumental in getting Lincoln County named as a State and National Register Historic District. She was also Lincoln County's appointed member on the CSRA Regional Development Center's Advisory Council for Historic Preservation and was a volunteer the last ten years on the Augusta Genealogical Library. Mrs. Fortson was the oldest member of the Lincolnton United Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday School, served on numerous committees and was a member of the United Methodist Women. She was a member of the National Society Colonial Dames, XVII Century, Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce and Friends of the Library. Mrs. Fortson was nominated for Georgia's Mother of the Year Award among her many other awards and accomplishments. Survivors include two sons, W. Benjamin Fortson of Lincolnton and James F. Fortson, Jr. and wife, June of Tampa, Fl.; two grandchildren, Heather Fortson and Sean Fortson; and two great grandchildren. Mrs. Fortson was preceded in death by her husband, James Francis Fortson. If so desired memorial contributions may be made to the Lincoln County Historical Society, P.O. Box 869, Lincolnton, GA. 30817. You may express your condolences online at: www.rees-funeralhome.com Friends may call at the residence. Visitation will be from 6 until 8 p.m. Monday, March 29, 2010 at Rees Funeral Home, 195 Peachtree St., Lincolnton, Ga. 706-359-3222.