Pauline Fortune

Helen Pauline Conner Williams Fortune was born on September 12, 1933, at Stollings, West Virginia, to Clarence E. and Beatrice B. Conner, the youngest childof five children and only daughter.

Pauline was a graduate of Logan High School in 1951and National Business College in Roanoke, Virginia.She worked several years for the law firm of Valentine & Beddow in Logan and was a long-time employee for the late well known entrepreneur J. T. Fish and his family. Pauline was an active leader in Girl Scouts having served as leader in both Brownie and Junior Girl Scouts Troops in Stollings in which her twodaughters were involved; was active in the Stollings Grade School PTA and Logan County PTA Council of which she was chosen parent of the year in l977; was a home room mother as long as her daughters attended grade school. She was a faithful, loyal, life time member of First Presbyterian Church in Logan where she served as secretary, an Elder, Trustee, and served as treasurer for thirty plus years. She was an active participant in the formation of the church’s food pantry in which she worked for several years, was a Sunday school teacher in several departments as well as sponsor of junior high youth group assisted by her husband, Ernest Williams, was a member of Ladies Circle No. 2, and Recreation Fellowship at the church for many years. Pauline loved her Lord and was happier when doing His work in the church and community. On December 5, 2021, during a church dinner Pauline was presented a plaque of appreciation by the church by the late beloved Pastor Jay Nunley honoring her for her many years of dedication and services to the church.

Pauline was an active member and former president as well as holding other offices in Logan Regional Medical Center Auxiliary for 35 plus years as well as manager of the Auxiliary Gift Shop, she was selected 2013 Volunteer of the year for Southeastern District at annual meeting of Auxiliaries at the Greenbrier of AWVHA. Pauline volunteered with the WECAN program for several years when it first began serving children both as a mentor and helped cook for their summer camp programs for several years. She alsowas a 50 plus year member of Logan Eastern Star Chapter No. 60. Pauline also enjoyed working in the gift shop at Christmas in the Park where she met and talked with many friendly folks from around the country who were enjoying the beautiful lights at Chief Logan State Park.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence E. & Beatrice B. Conner; her first husband and father of her two daughters, Ernest H. Williams, Jr.; her second husband and best friend, Jack E. Fortune; her fourbrothers and sisters-in-law, Charles E (Belle) Conner, Curtis W.(Shirley) Conner, Alvin W. (Phyllis) Conner,and James L (Dorothy) Conner; her paternal grandparents, Kyle and Ida Conner; her maternal grandparents, John and Lilly Booth and a very special niece, Suzanne Conner Hall, her step daughter, Linda Pritchard, and step son-in-law, David Jones.

She is survived by her two daughters Catherine Ferrellof Stollings and Cheryl (Stephen) Wellman of Belton, SC; three grandchildren, the lights of her life, James L. Ferrell, III, Sarah A. Mason (Jake) and Connor D. Wellman, and one very special great grandson, Henrik Mason; her faithful daily companion, Mittens; step daughter Teresa Jones of Crestview, FL; step grandchildren, Scott (Melissa) Pritchard of Verdunville, Katrina McNeely of Crestview, FL, stepgreat grandchild, Donnie Pritchard; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Sharon Fortune, Annetta Fortune, Jim Fortune, and Paul & Betty Williams Young. Also surviving are several nephews, nieces, great nephews and nieces, other relatives and many dear and close friends, too numerous to name.

Pauline’s main wish is that all relatives and dear friends will join her in heaven when God calls them home.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, September 19, 2025 at Akers-James Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery at Pecks Mill. Visitation will be from 6-9 p.m. Thursday, September 18, 2025, also at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations can be made to the Hungry Lamb Food Pantry or the Presbyterian Church Blessing Box.

One of her favorites poems was:

When I am gone, just release me, let me go so I can move into my Lord’s home.

You mustn’t tie me down with your tears, let’s be happy that we had so many years.

I gave you my love, you can only guess how much you have given me in happiness.

I thank you for the love you each have shown, but now it’s time I traveled on alone.

So grieve for me awhile, if grieve you must, then let your grief be comforted with trust.

It’s only for a while that we must part, so bless the memories within your heart.

And then, when you come this way alone, I’ll greet you with a smile and a “Welcome home”.