Mary Fort Backus

Mary Elizabeth Fort Backus, 98, of Owensboro passed away Thursday, April 4, 2013 at the Carmel Home. She was born May 5, 1914 in Moseleyville, Kentucky, the third child of James Edward Fort and Alma Prior Fort. She was employed at Ken-Rad Tube and Lamp Company, later General Electric Company, as a group leader for 42 years, retiring in 1974. She was married to Rev. John Backus for 32 years and assisted him in pastorates in Ohio and Fleming counties in Kentucky until his death in 1992. She was a member of Walnut Memorial Baptist Church.

Mary played basketball for the Ken-Rad ladies basketball team and enjoyed watching UK basketball. She was a former member of Eastern Star #46 and enjoyed crossword puzzles, genealogy research and a competitive game of cards (Skip Bo).

Mary was a loving and devoted aunt of the children of her six brothers and endeavored all her life to keep in touch with each of them. They, in turn, paid special attention to Aunt Mary, as did her brothers and their wives. She would want to give special thanks to her nephew Craig Fort for his untiring dedication and her brother and his wife, Earl and Bessie Fort.

Mary is survived by two brothers and their wives, Jack and Lula Mae Fort of Gainesville, FL and Earl and Bessie Fort of Owensboro; a sister-in-law Ruth Fort of Evans, GA; and the following nieces and nephews: Linda Kerstetter, Mike Fort, Gail Sensel, Steve Fort, Gary Fort, Hilton Fort, Kenny Fort, John Fort, Greg Fort, David Fort, Mark Fort, Gina Jacobs, and Craig Fort, as well as many great nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

Mary's family extends their gratitude to all those who supported them with love and prayers and for the many kindnesses and caring provided at the Carmel Home.

The funeral service for Mary will be 10:00 a.m. Monday at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory where there will be a gathering of family and friends from 2:00 until 6:00 p.m. Sunday and after 9:00 a.m. Monday. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the Carmel Home. Messages of condolence may be placed at www.glennfuneralhome.com.