A beautiful sweet soul left us this week, Elaine Fort Bearden, age 88, of Conyers, passed away the morning of Saturday, September 22, 2018 at sunrise. Born Alice Elaine Fort to John and Ethel Fort of Dublin, Georgia, she grew up in the rural south surrounded by talented and caring people. Elaine was a devout Christian and took up the calling she grew to love, Nursing. Elaine achieved the modern equivalent of a Bachelor's Degree in nursing and went on to work for Georgia Baptist Hospital, Georgia Regional Hospital, and her favorite Margaret Harris Comprehensive School, a special education school for students with severe and multiple disabilities. A selfless patience, a genuine concern, and a thoughtful attentiveness made Elaine an Angel for these children in need. Elaine would go on to inspire another generation of nurses, many from her own family. She would meet Ray Bearden and marry in 1951. They would raise four children, Sam, Alan, John, and Amy in Atlanta and Conyers, Georgia. Elaine's grandchildren experienced the same sweet soul that her patients knew, they loved her dearly and would call her "Meme". Even in her retirement in Conyers she would look after all her neighbors needs as Ray would attend to their yard work. The couple would enjoy travelling to tournaments around the country with Ray's senior softball team. Elaine's final years were spent in the Merryvale Assisted Living Home where she would provide care and solace to her fellow residents, the nurse ever present. This world will miss this beautiful sweet soul, this Angel from Dublin.
"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."
—Mahatma Gandhi
She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Ray Bearden; son, Alan Bearden; parents, John and Ethel (Grier) Fort; sisters and brother-in-law, Sadie and Mark Lively, Nancy Lively; as well as brother, Truett Fort.
Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Amy and Ty Cantrell; sons and daughters-in-law, Sam Bearden and Kathryn King, John and Donna Bearden; grandchildren, Hannah Woodard and husband, Andy, Pace Bearden, Mady Bearden, Reece Cantrell, Ragan Cantrell; brother and sister-in-law, Billy and Glenda Fort; sister-in-law, Betty Fort; and brother-in-law, Tom Lively.
A Funeral Service for Mrs. Bearden will be held Wednesday, September 26, 2018, 11:00 A.M., at Zion Baptist Church, 7037 Highway 212 N, in Covington, with Dr. Jim Martin and Dr. Lane Collins officiating. Interment will follow in Westview Cemetery, 1680 Westview Drive, in Atlanta. Friends may visit with the family at Caldwell & Cowan Funeral Home, 1215 Access Road, in Covington, Tuesday, September 25, from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. Flowers are accepted, or memorial donations may be made to Waynesboro First United Methodist Church Mission, Attn: Bearden Ministries, P.O. Box 420, Waynesboro, GA 30830.
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