Garnell Fortner, age 83, of Denton, Texas, quietly and peacefully died at home in the early morning hours of February 16, 2013. "Garnie,"as she was known by her family and friends, was born on June 2, 1929, in Snyder, Texas, to Lottie and Curtis Newton. She is preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Nelson B. Fortner, her parents; brothers Otis Newton, O'dell Newton, Orville Newton; and sister Mayola Newton Aytes. She is survived by daughter, Debbie E. Millican of Denton, Texas; Grandsons Terry M. Millican of Ponder, Texas; Grandson Mark Amil Millican and wife Sandra of University Park, Maryland; Great-Granddaughters Mackenzie-Brooke, Morgan, and Payton Millican; Great-Grandson, Marcelo Millican.

A fiercely independent and extremely intelligent woman, she was a native Texan and life long rabid democrat. She would be pleased to see those facts printed in the newspaper for all to know. Up until just days before her death, she was a voracious reader of books and follower of current events. She was known for her abilities on the computer and at poker, both live games and in recent years, online games. She helped teach her young grandsons to count by taking their allowance money each week in a so-called "friendly" round of seven-card stud. She would say, "All men should be able to hold their own at a poker table and losing their allowance is the best way to teach them how to play." She will be missed by all for her dry sense of humor and independent nature. She was one of a kind.



The family will recieve friends Tuesday, February 19, 2013 from 12:00 noon until 1:00 p.m.when the service will begin at 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel of DeBerry Funeral Directors, burial immediately following at the Graham-Argyle Cemetery in Argyle, Texas.