Mrs. Edith Regina Fortner Butts (age 71) died Friday, July 28, 2023, at Southland Health and Rehabilitation Center in Peachtree City, Ga.

As the second of six children, Regina was born on July 29, 1951, in Thomaston, Georgia to the late Edith Barron Fortner and Reginald C. Fortner, Sr. As a teenager, Regina was active in Girl Scouts, Girls in Action and multiple other activities at the First Baptist Church, where her membership remained.  She attended high school at R E Lee Institute, where she was active as a majorette for the band and in the Lee High Singers. She enjoyed all types of music, playing the piano, singing in the chorus and Baptist Church choir, as well as participating in many theater productions.

After graduation, Regina attended Brewton Parker Junior College on a band scholarship (clarinet) for 2 years.  She then transferred to Georgia Southern College in Statesboro and obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education. After graduation and marriage, Regina resided in Ellenwood, Ga, where she taught second and third grade students in the Clayton County School system for over 30 years. Her long teaching career resulted in her teaching the children of some of her previous students, and she was always thrilled to welcome those students/parents back to her classroom as "room moms and helpers".

While living in Ellenwood, Regina had her two proudest accomplishments – the birth of her daughter, Shannon, and the birth of her son, Ryan. She was a devoted and loving Mother, that was enthusiastically proud of her children. She also enjoyed having the last word when they were leaving and exchanging "I love you(s)" - Regina would always quip one last line of "I love you more!"  While in Ellenwood, the family attended Jonesboro First Baptist Church.  She was very family oriented and enjoyed attending family reunions and visiting her multiple aunts, uncles and cousins for as long as she was able.  Her beautiful blue eyes, bright smile, and ready laugh were always a family favorite.

In addition to her parents, Regina is preceded in death by her older brother, Reginald C. Fortner, Jr.

Survivors include her daughter, Shannon (Logan Phillips) Butts of Gainesville, Florida; son, Ryan (Roxanne) Butts of Fayetteville, Georgia; brother, Thomas Fortner of Fayetteville, Georgia; sisters, Deborah (Brian) Thames of Elberton, Georgia, Linda (Zippo) Beeghly of Griffin, Georgia, and Brenda (Barney) Harp of Meansville, Georgia; grandchildren, Jade and Ella and grand dog, Reagan.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 5, 2023, at 11:00 am in the Chapel of Coggins Funeral Home in Thomaston, Georgia - burial will follow at Glenwood Cemetery. Visitation with family members will be held just prior to the service from 10:00 – 11:00 am Saturday morning, August 5, 2023, at Coggins Funeral Home.  Those wishing to share a special photo memory of Regina are invited to bring your photos during visitation and add to the family's memory board.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the American Kidney Fund at www.kidneyfund.org and/ or the Dolly Parton Imagination Library at www.imaginationlibrary.com.