Wilton Ray Fortenberry, 77, passed away on January 22, 2019, at North Alabama Medical Center after a brief illness. He was born on April 22, 1941, near Edinburg in Leake County, Mississippi. He moved with his family to Corinth, Mississippi in 1947. He graduated from Farmington High School in 1959, and Northeast Mississippi Junior College in 1961. He married Janice Wallace on February 14, 1962. Together, they raised two daughters, Karen and Sandra. He was a retired Field Operations Manager with Pilgrim’s Pride in Russellville.
Wilton was a member of Sheffield First Baptist Church. His hobbies included fishing, golf, watching Mississippi State University sports, and searching for his lost pocket knife. He especially loved spending time with his granddaughter and grandson. He was known for his quick wit and his compassionate heart.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Clara Smith Fortenberry; his father, Buford Clinton Fortenberry; and a brother, William Floyd Fortenberry.
Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Janice Wallace Fortenberry; his two daughters, Karen Fortenberry Weeks (Joe) of Tupelo, Mississippi and Sandra Fortenberry Deas (Mack) of Birmingham; his two grandchildren, Bailey Deas of Auburn and Benjamin Deas of Birmingham; his sister, Gale Fortenberry Lewey of Corinth, Mississippi; his brother, Dale Fortenberry of Farmington, Mississippi; and seven nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends for visitation on Friday, January 25th from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Morrison Funeral Home, Tuscumbia. The funeral service will follow at 12:30 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Dr. Ron Ethridge and Chad Holder officiating. A 3 p.m. graveside service will be held at The Valley of the Dogwood Cemetery in Corinth, Mississippi. Pallbearers will be family and friends.
