Nell Hallas

Mrs. Dorothy Nell Hallas, (Nanny Nell), was welcomed into the Lord's hands on September 12th, 2020 with family by her side and under the watchful care of the loving staff at Madison Manor Nursing Home.  She entered the Kingdom of Heaven having completed a lifetime of loyal and faithful service to God.

Nanny Nell was preceded in death by her first husband Curtis E. "Gene" Fortson in 1983 and second husband Clint Hallas in 2014, both Wartime Veterans of the Korean War, as well as by her first born son, James Terrell (Terry) Fortson in 2000, an incredible soul and talented artist. 

She is survived by her son Steven E. Fortson (wife Denise), grandchildren Amy Harris (husband Jeff), Danny Fortson, Shana Fortson, Steven M. Fortson (wife Lauren), Jeremy Fortson, and Sean Fortson, and great- grandchildren Megan, Hannah, Aubrey, Abigail, and Noah Harris, and Ryatt, Payse, and Layla Mae Fortson. Mrs. Hallas' surviving brothers and sisters include George McCulley, Jerry McCulley, Evelyn Ogletree, Sam McCulley, Carl McCulley, and Faye Carroll.

Mrs. Hallas was a devout Christian and church-goer, most recently as a member of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Madison, AL.  She lovingly taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School for many years at the East Newton Baptist Church in Covington, GA and the Zion Baptist Church in Monticello, GA.

Nanny Nell was creative and delighted early in her life in cooking, making her own clothes. and doing peoples hair, (ultimately becoming a qualified cosmetologist with her own in-home salon).  She always had a green thumb and an uncanny ability to make anything grow.  She was also an avid painter.

She was the quintessential southern lady; full of love and care for others, and with many friends inside and outside of the church.  Her grandchildren and great grandchildren were her special pride and joy, and her love for them was abundant.  Even as ailments began to take their toll, she would beam with delight whenever she held or hugged one of them.

Nanny Nell was dearly loved.  She will be sorely missed, but her kind and gentle spirit will be remembered forever. 

A visitation will be held at the Legacy Chapel Funeral Home and Crematory on Tuesday, 15 September at 1:00 PM CST immediately followed by a funeral service at 2:00 PM.  Mrs. Hallas will be buried next to husband Gene Fortson and son Terry Fortson in the Meadow Baptist Church cemetery in Comer, GA at 3PM EST on Wednesday, 16 September, 2020.

The family wishes to kindly thank the staff at Madison Manor Nursing Home for their loving care of Mrs. Hallas.