Carolyn Fortson Barger

Mrs. Carolyn Fortson Barger, 97, of Elberton, wife of the late Bert Sidney Barger, Sr., passed away on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at Piedmont Athens Regional Hospital.

Mrs. Barger was born in Elbert County on April 15, 1929, daughter of the late John Chandler Fortson and Annie Ruth Parham Fortson. She was a graduate of Elberton High School and a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.

A hard-working lady, Carolyn worked alongside Bert at West End Grocery for 35 years. After retirement from the grocery business, she worked alongside her brother at Fortson & Sanders Certified Public Accountants on the Elberton Square, retiring again at the age of 91.

Mrs. Barger was a longtime member of the Elberton Country Club, playing golf until she was 90. She loved watching the Atlanta Braves, reading a good book, and survived off of drinking coffee with every meal.

Surviving are her son and daughter-in-law, Sid and Gaye Barger of Dewy Rose; grandchildren and their spouses: Carolyn Christina Hurst and Brian of Birmingham, AL, Laura Sidney Garrett and Matt of Aiken, SC, and Christopher Jeffrey Barger and Renee of Cary, NC; great-grandchildren: Sydney Garrett, Meyer Garrett, Joseph Hurst, Andrew Hurst, Gavin Barger, and Stellan Barger; sister and brother-in-law, Dottie and Ron Wakefield of Dawsonville; sisters-in-law: Sandra Fortson of Woodstock, Terrie Fortson of Comer, and Betty Ann Fortson of Savannah; and a host of special nieces and nephews.

Along with her husband, Bert, Carolyn is preceded in death by her parents, John Chandler Fortson and Annie Ruth Parham Fortson; and siblings: Marion Fortson, Don Fortson, Wayne Fortson, Jack Fortson, Annie Lou Cornell, and Johnnie Brodeur.

A time of visitation celebrating Carolyn’s life will be held on Saturday, August 22, from 10:30a.m. until 12:00noon at Berry Funeral Home. She will be laid to rest privately in the family mausoleum at Forest Hills Memorial Park prior to the visitation.

Flowers are accepted, and contributions may be made in her memory to the Ramp Ministry at First Baptist Church of Elberton, 132 Heard Street, Elberton, GA 30635.

For the last 4 1/2 years, Carolyn has been cared for by the staff of Magnolia Estates. The family extends their sincerest appreciation to the team at Magnolia as well as to the team at Piedmont Athens Regional Hospital for the exceptional and professional care she received.

Those wishing may sign the online guestbook at berryfh.com.

Berry Funeral Home & Crematory of Elberton is respectfully in charge of arrangements for Mrs. Carolyn Fortson Barger.