Irene King Fortes

September 26, 1922 - April 26, 2008

Irene King Fortes, 85, died Saturday, April 26, 2008, from Alzheimer's disease complications. Irene King Fortes was born in Camden, AL on September 26, 1922, but moved early in life with her family to Northport, AL. She became a Christian at an early age and worked as a teenager with other youth at Northport Baptist Church. Her parents were James Davis King and Cherokee Burgess King. Cherokee died in 1952 and Davis King died in 1972. An older sister, Una, died at age 40 in Melbourne, FL, and a brother, James Davis King Jr., died in Atlanta in 1999.

Jack Fortes met Irene in 1952 when she visited Jim and Una in New Smryna Beach, where Jim and some friends built radio station WSBB. Una worked there. Jack and Irene were married January 3, 1953, at Northport Baptist Church, and returned to New Smyrna Beach where Jack was correspondent for The Daytona Beach News-Journal. In 1954 they moved to Melbourne where Jack worked for the Orlando Sentinel and Pan Am at the Cape. Kee Fortes was born July 12, 1956, and Scott Fortes was born March 18, 1960, in Melbourne.

The family moved to DeLand in December 1965, where Jack was to work with Stetson in Alumni/Development for 24 years. Through the years, Jack and Irene enjoyed bridge and other activities with Stetson and community friends. Irene was secretary to Pastor Chuck Bugg from 1976 until 1982. She loved her church. Irene was a loving wife and mother and friends missed her when she became ill with Alzheimer's. She is lovingly missed to this day by all who knew her.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by a daughter, Kee Fortes Strong (Ken), Durham, NC, and son, Scott (Christy), granddaughter, Madison, and grandson, Rhett, all of Jasper, GA.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 10, at 4 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in DeLand. Memorial gifts may be sent to First Baptist Church of DeLand, 725 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand, FL 32724. We invite you to sign the Guest Book maintained by the Daytona Beach News Journal.