William Parham "Pete" Fortenberry, age 85, loved so deeply died at his residence in Clermont on Saturday the 12th day of December, 2009. He had been in precarious health since early November.
Mr. Fortenberry was born June 8, 1924, in Blairsville one of 11 children born to the late John and Napper Fortenberry. As a young man, he enjoyed growing up on the farm in Blairsville. His family was a major supplier of the Atlanta Farmer's Market, and as a child, he would help harvest the goods each year and was always excited when it was his turn to accompany his father with the delivery to Atlanta. When he was barely old enough, he volunteered for service with the CC's and enjoyed telling the story of his involvement in the construction of Fontana Dam. From there, he moved to Akron, Ohio, where he met the "first love of his life," Cleta, at which time, he was employed to help build military planes during World War II. After he married he returned to Georgia for a short while, then later moved to Charleston, W.Va., where he was employed at Union Carbide for many years. In 1963, he returned to Georgia again and moved his family to the Chestnut Mountain Community, where he was a member of Chestnut Mountain Baptist Church. Mr. Fortenberry retired from AT&T and has lived in the Clermont area for the past several years, where he was an active member of Dewberry Baptist Church No. 1.
He had a great devotion to his family, but it was his grandchildren and great-grandchildren that brought the biggest smiles to his face. As an avid deer hunter and President of "Twin-Buck Hunting Club," which he founded over 60 years ago, Mr. Fortenberry spent every hunting season with many fellow members at his hunting club, located in Crawfordville. He couldn't wait for the seasons to start each year and made sure prior to hunting season that the area was groomed and ready, but a few years before he gave up his favorite sport, he became very selective of the animals that appeared in his scope and wouldn't attempt to shoot anything less than a "trophy." Instead he would simply photograph the deer from his stand and allow them to go about, frolicking in the woods. He was our "Great White Hunter."
He is preceded in death by his first wife, Cleta Lavere Burdette Fortenberry; his parents, John Columbus Fortenberry and Napper Lunsford Davis Fortenberry; brothers, Louis Fortenberry, Bill Fortenberry, Marcus Fortenberry, Howard Fortenberry and Joseph Fortenberry; and sisters, Ruth Jenkins, Edna Jones, Effie Fortenberry and Dorothy Fortenberry.
Mr. Fortenberry is survived by his loving wife, Ellaree Davis Sosebee Fortenberry; son, Kenneth Fortenberry, Gainesville; daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Henry O. Ward Jr. of Gainesville; sister, Grace Stephens, Clermont; one granddaughter, Bambi Riley and her husband, Chris; two great-grandsons, Jake and Austin Riley of Gainesville; two stepgrandsons, Drew Ward and his wife, Shari of Roswell and John Ward of Jacksonville, Fla.; three stepchildren, Tony Sosebee and his wife, Linda of Blairsville, Gail Berry and her husband, Larry of Demorest, Herman Sosebee and his wife, Anita of Chatsworth; and a number of beloved step-grandchildren, step-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009, at the funeral home.
A funeral service in celebration of Mr. Fortenberry's life is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 14, 2009, at Dewberry Baptist Church No. 1 with the Rev. Henry Loggins officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Andrew Ward, Tony Stephens, Doug Fortenberry, James Jenkins, Mark Berry, Michael Sosebee, Jason Sosebee and Matt Sosebee
The family would like to thank everyone for their wonderful care and concern during Mr. Fortenberry's illness. In lieu of flowers, any remembrances you wish to make can be made to Dewberry Baptist Church No. 1, Building Fund, 4616 Clarks Bridge Road, Gainesville, GA 30506; or to your favorite charity in memory of William Parham Fortenberry.
"We give thanks to God always for you." (1Thes. 1:2)
Online condolences may be made to masonandwardfuneralhomeandcremation.com.
Mason & Ward Funeral Home of Gainesville
Contributor: Laura Addison (49422725) • [email protected]
Mr. Fortenberry was born June 8, 1924, in Blairsville one of 11 children born to the late John and Napper Fortenberry. As a young man, he enjoyed growing up on the farm in Blairsville. His family was a major supplier of the Atlanta Farmer's Market, and as a child, he would help harvest the goods each year and was always excited when it was his turn to accompany his father with the delivery to Atlanta. When he was barely old enough, he volunteered for service with the CC's and enjoyed telling the story of his involvement in the construction of Fontana Dam. From there, he moved to Akron, Ohio, where he met the "first love of his life," Cleta, at which time, he was employed to help build military planes during World War II. After he married he returned to Georgia for a short while, then later moved to Charleston, W.Va., where he was employed at Union Carbide for many years. In 1963, he returned to Georgia again and moved his family to the Chestnut Mountain Community, where he was a member of Chestnut Mountain Baptist Church. Mr. Fortenberry retired from AT&T and has lived in the Clermont area for the past several years, where he was an active member of Dewberry Baptist Church No. 1.
He had a great devotion to his family, but it was his grandchildren and great-grandchildren that brought the biggest smiles to his face. As an avid deer hunter and President of "Twin-Buck Hunting Club," which he founded over 60 years ago, Mr. Fortenberry spent every hunting season with many fellow members at his hunting club, located in Crawfordville. He couldn't wait for the seasons to start each year and made sure prior to hunting season that the area was groomed and ready, but a few years before he gave up his favorite sport, he became very selective of the animals that appeared in his scope and wouldn't attempt to shoot anything less than a "trophy." Instead he would simply photograph the deer from his stand and allow them to go about, frolicking in the woods. He was our "Great White Hunter."
He is preceded in death by his first wife, Cleta Lavere Burdette Fortenberry; his parents, John Columbus Fortenberry and Napper Lunsford Davis Fortenberry; brothers, Louis Fortenberry, Bill Fortenberry, Marcus Fortenberry, Howard Fortenberry and Joseph Fortenberry; and sisters, Ruth Jenkins, Edna Jones, Effie Fortenberry and Dorothy Fortenberry.
Mr. Fortenberry is survived by his loving wife, Ellaree Davis Sosebee Fortenberry; son, Kenneth Fortenberry, Gainesville; daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Henry O. Ward Jr. of Gainesville; sister, Grace Stephens, Clermont; one granddaughter, Bambi Riley and her husband, Chris; two great-grandsons, Jake and Austin Riley of Gainesville; two stepgrandsons, Drew Ward and his wife, Shari of Roswell and John Ward of Jacksonville, Fla.; three stepchildren, Tony Sosebee and his wife, Linda of Blairsville, Gail Berry and her husband, Larry of Demorest, Herman Sosebee and his wife, Anita of Chatsworth; and a number of beloved step-grandchildren, step-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009, at the funeral home.
A funeral service in celebration of Mr. Fortenberry's life is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 14, 2009, at Dewberry Baptist Church No. 1 with the Rev. Henry Loggins officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Andrew Ward, Tony Stephens, Doug Fortenberry, James Jenkins, Mark Berry, Michael Sosebee, Jason Sosebee and Matt Sosebee
The family would like to thank everyone for their wonderful care and concern during Mr. Fortenberry's illness. In lieu of flowers, any remembrances you wish to make can be made to Dewberry Baptist Church No. 1, Building Fund, 4616 Clarks Bridge Road, Gainesville, GA 30506; or to your favorite charity in memory of William Parham Fortenberry.
"We give thanks to God always for you." (1Thes. 1:2)
Online condolences may be made to masonandwardfuneralhomeandcremation.com.
Mason & Ward Funeral Home of Gainesville
Contributor: Laura Addison (49422725) • [email protected]
William Parham "Pete" Fortenberry, age 85, loved so deeply died at his residence in Clermont on Saturday the 12th day of December, 2009. He had been in precarious health since early November.
Mr. Fortenberry was born June 8, 1924, in Blairsville one of 11 children born to the late John and Napper Fortenberry. As a young man, he enjoyed growing up on the farm in Blairsville. His family was a major supplier of the Atlanta Farmer's Market, and as a child, he would help harvest the goods each year and was always excited when it was his turn to accompany his father with the delivery to Atlanta. When he was barely old enough, he volunteered for service with the CC's and enjoyed telling the story of his involvement in the construction of Fontana Dam. From there, he moved to Akron, Ohio, where he met the "first love of his life," Cleta, at which time, he was employed to help build military planes during World War II. After he married he returned to Georgia for a short while, then later moved to Charleston, W.Va., where he was employed at Union Carbide for many years. In 1963, he returned to Georgia again and moved his family to the Chestnut Mountain Community, where he was a member of Chestnut Mountain Baptist Church. Mr. Fortenberry retired from AT&T and has lived in the Clermont area for the past several years, where he was an active member of Dewberry Baptist Church No. 1.
He had a great devotion to his family, but it was his grandchildren and great-grandchildren that brought the biggest smiles to his face. As an avid deer hunter and President of "Twin-Buck Hunting Club," which he founded over 60 years ago, Mr. Fortenberry spent every hunting season with many fellow members at his hunting club, located in Crawfordville. He couldn't wait for the seasons to start each year and made sure prior to hunting season that the area was groomed and ready, but a few years before he gave up his favorite sport, he became very selective of the animals that appeared in his scope and wouldn't attempt to shoot anything less than a "trophy." Instead he would simply photograph the deer from his stand and allow them to go about, frolicking in the woods. He was our "Great White Hunter."
He is preceded in death by his first wife, Cleta Lavere Burdette Fortenberry; his parents, John Columbus Fortenberry and Napper Lunsford Davis Fortenberry; brothers, Louis Fortenberry, Bill Fortenberry, Marcus Fortenberry, Howard Fortenberry and Joseph Fortenberry; and sisters, Ruth Jenkins, Edna Jones, Effie Fortenberry and Dorothy Fortenberry.
Mr. Fortenberry is survived by his loving wife, Ellaree Davis Sosebee Fortenberry; son, Kenneth Fortenberry, Gainesville; daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Henry O. Ward Jr. of Gainesville; sister, Grace Stephens, Clermont; one granddaughter, Bambi Riley and her husband, Chris; two great-grandsons, Jake and Austin Riley of Gainesville; two stepgrandsons, Drew Ward and his wife, Shari of Roswell and John Ward of Jacksonville, Fla.; three stepchildren, Tony Sosebee and his wife, Linda of Blairsville, Gail Berry and her husband, Larry of Demorest, Herman Sosebee and his wife, Anita of Chatsworth; and a number of beloved step-grandchildren, step-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009, at the funeral home.
A funeral service in celebration of Mr. Fortenberry's life is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 14, 2009, at Dewberry Baptist Church No. 1 with the Rev. Henry Loggins officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Andrew Ward, Tony Stephens, Doug Fortenberry, James Jenkins, Mark Berry, Michael Sosebee, Jason Sosebee and Matt Sosebee
The family would like to thank everyone for their wonderful care and concern during Mr. Fortenberry's illness. In lieu of flowers, any remembrances you wish to make can be made to Dewberry Baptist Church No. 1, Building Fund, 4616 Clarks Bridge Road, Gainesville, GA 30506; or to your favorite charity in memory of William Parham Fortenberry.
"We give thanks to God always for you." (1Thes. 1:2)
Online condolences may be made to masonandwardfuneralhomeandcremation.com.
Mason & Ward Funeral Home of Gainesville
Contributor: Laura Addison (49422725) • [email protected]
Mr. Fortenberry was born June 8, 1924, in Blairsville one of 11 children born to the late John and Napper Fortenberry. As a young man, he enjoyed growing up on the farm in Blairsville. His family was a major supplier of the Atlanta Farmer's Market, and as a child, he would help harvest the goods each year and was always excited when it was his turn to accompany his father with the delivery to Atlanta. When he was barely old enough, he volunteered for service with the CC's and enjoyed telling the story of his involvement in the construction of Fontana Dam. From there, he moved to Akron, Ohio, where he met the "first love of his life," Cleta, at which time, he was employed to help build military planes during World War II. After he married he returned to Georgia for a short while, then later moved to Charleston, W.Va., where he was employed at Union Carbide for many years. In 1963, he returned to Georgia again and moved his family to the Chestnut Mountain Community, where he was a member of Chestnut Mountain Baptist Church. Mr. Fortenberry retired from AT&T and has lived in the Clermont area for the past several years, where he was an active member of Dewberry Baptist Church No. 1.
He had a great devotion to his family, but it was his grandchildren and great-grandchildren that brought the biggest smiles to his face. As an avid deer hunter and President of "Twin-Buck Hunting Club," which he founded over 60 years ago, Mr. Fortenberry spent every hunting season with many fellow members at his hunting club, located in Crawfordville. He couldn't wait for the seasons to start each year and made sure prior to hunting season that the area was groomed and ready, but a few years before he gave up his favorite sport, he became very selective of the animals that appeared in his scope and wouldn't attempt to shoot anything less than a "trophy." Instead he would simply photograph the deer from his stand and allow them to go about, frolicking in the woods. He was our "Great White Hunter."
He is preceded in death by his first wife, Cleta Lavere Burdette Fortenberry; his parents, John Columbus Fortenberry and Napper Lunsford Davis Fortenberry; brothers, Louis Fortenberry, Bill Fortenberry, Marcus Fortenberry, Howard Fortenberry and Joseph Fortenberry; and sisters, Ruth Jenkins, Edna Jones, Effie Fortenberry and Dorothy Fortenberry.
Mr. Fortenberry is survived by his loving wife, Ellaree Davis Sosebee Fortenberry; son, Kenneth Fortenberry, Gainesville; daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Henry O. Ward Jr. of Gainesville; sister, Grace Stephens, Clermont; one granddaughter, Bambi Riley and her husband, Chris; two great-grandsons, Jake and Austin Riley of Gainesville; two stepgrandsons, Drew Ward and his wife, Shari of Roswell and John Ward of Jacksonville, Fla.; three stepchildren, Tony Sosebee and his wife, Linda of Blairsville, Gail Berry and her husband, Larry of Demorest, Herman Sosebee and his wife, Anita of Chatsworth; and a number of beloved step-grandchildren, step-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009, at the funeral home.
A funeral service in celebration of Mr. Fortenberry's life is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 14, 2009, at Dewberry Baptist Church No. 1 with the Rev. Henry Loggins officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Andrew Ward, Tony Stephens, Doug Fortenberry, James Jenkins, Mark Berry, Michael Sosebee, Jason Sosebee and Matt Sosebee
The family would like to thank everyone for their wonderful care and concern during Mr. Fortenberry's illness. In lieu of flowers, any remembrances you wish to make can be made to Dewberry Baptist Church No. 1, Building Fund, 4616 Clarks Bridge Road, Gainesville, GA 30506; or to your favorite charity in memory of William Parham Fortenberry.
"We give thanks to God always for you." (1Thes. 1:2)
Online condolences may be made to masonandwardfuneralhomeandcremation.com.
Mason & Ward Funeral Home of Gainesville
Contributor: Laura Addison (49422725) • [email protected]
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