Barbara Dean Fortenberry (Green) Obituary (1938

On the evening of September 4th, Barbara Dean Fortenberry, loving mother and grandmother, peacefully stepped into Eternal Life with her son and daughter at her side sharing beautiful memories of the love they shared. Although now absent from this life, her soul will continue living on through her adoring family and friends. Barbara was born to Laura Sartor and Willie Greene in Union, South Carolina on March 8th, 1938. The oldest of five siblings, "Bobbie" as she was always affectionately known by her family, was raised in Pennsylvania and in Michigan where she was educated and grew into adulthood. As a teenager, Barbara loved music, being with friends and spending time at the Arcadia Skating Rink in Detroit, It was at the Arcadia in 1956 that Barbara met Johnny Fortenberry. They were wed on September 11th, 1958. This union was blessed with three children, L'Tanya, Lisa and Johnny Jr. The family moved to Texas in 1980, eventually settling in Midlothian, where she resided for thirty-four years. Barbara was employed by the United States Postal Service for thirty-four years, retiring in 2000. Barbara accepted Christ at a young age and her passion for giving, for supporting and showing love to others from her heart was a glowing example of her faith. She loved music, baking, classic films and was an avid reader with a book collection unrivaled by many. She treasured being surrounded by family. But her true passion was giving from her heart--be it friend, relative or stranger--it did not matter; if a kind gesture made someone smile, Barbara smiled as well. This is the legacy she leaves in her absence. Barbara leaves to cherish her memory one daughter, L'Tanya Fortenberry-Poplar and her son Johnny Jr; two granddaughters, Shawn'e and L'Shae Poplar; one sister, Lawana Mitchell; one brother, Darrell Darden; four sisters-in-law, Jo Nell Holmes, Lela Ragin, Deborah Fortenberry and Mary Fortenberry; cousins, nieces, nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends. Barbara was predeceased by her husband Johnny in 2015, one daughter, Lisa, her mother and father, her beloved second mother Aunt Buedell Barker, one brother, William Sartor, one sister, Deborah Darden and three brothers-in-law, Jesse Fortenberry, Taylor Holmes and Eugene Fortenberry. Barbara will truly be missed and her memory treasured by those who knew and loved her.