Rodney Fortenberry

Rodney Lee Fortenberry, age 59, went home to meet our Savior face-to-face at Memorial Hospital in Gulfport on December 13, 2009. Rodney, the son of Angeline Fortenberry and the late Leston Fortenberry, was born April 15, 1950 in Gulfport, MS. He is survived by his loving wife of forty years, Elizabeth Murph Jermyn Fortenberry, daughter Kathryn Walters, her husband Cal, and granddaughters, Megan, Bridey, and Hannah of Long Beach and daughter Rhyne Roberts, her husband Bobby, grandson Matthew and granddaughter Allison, of Onalaska, Wisconsin. He is also survived by older brother Gary and sister-in-law Melba, younger brother Steven and sister-in-law Cathy and numerous nieces and nephews. He retired from South Central Bell after 31 years of service. Rodney, a life-long resident of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, was an avid outdoorsman and a passionate hunter, fisherman, and golfer. He was a member of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Long Beach, St. Vincent De Paul Council of the Knights of Columbus, and a Cursillista. Throughout his life, he contributed to numerous conservation groups, including Ducks Unlimited, and was a devoted supporter of St. Jude ChildrenaÌ‚â‚â„¢s Research Hospital. He was also a partner in the Tippo Timber Company, LLC, in Greenwood, MS. Rodney was a fixture at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School, keeping everything running for aÌ‚â‚ËœhisaÌ‚â‚â„¢ kids, the faculty, and staff. Visitation will be Wednesday, December 16th from 3pm to 7pm at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 5557 Daugherty Road in Long Beach, with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 7pm in the Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to St. Vincent De Paul Catholic School, 4321 Espy Avenue Long Beach, MS 39560, or St. Jude ChildrenaÌ‚â‚â„¢s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. The Riemann Family Funeral Home, 19130 Commission Road in Long Beach, is in charge of the arrangements and a guestbook may be viewed and signed at www.riemannfamily.com