Mr. Eric Tod Johnson Fortenberry, 33, died Wednesday morning March 9, 2016, at the Lawrence County Hospital in Monticello. Services for Mr. Fortenberry were held on Tuesday March 15,2016 at the Monticello First Baptist Church, with Pastor Larry Lenoir officiating. Interment was in the Rose Hill Church Cemetery, with Laird Mortuary in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Fortenberry was the son of the late Charles Fortenberry and Shelia Smith Johnson of Silver Creek. At an early age he joined the Rose Hill M. B. Church, although he attended Monticello First Baptist during his latter years. Mr. Fortenberry served in the Youth Department at Monticello First Baptist and was a positive influence on many of the youth. As a younger man, Mr. Fortenberry graduated from Lawrence County High School in 2001, where he excelled in basketball, track and football, earning a state championship ring in 2000 with the LCHS football team.
Mr. Fortenberry spent most of his adult life working at Joe N. Miles & Son Lumber Company in Silver Creek, while enjoying his friends and family during his leisure time.
Mr. Fortenberry’s survivors include his mother, Shelia Johnson of Gulfport; his companion, Ardrienne Bridges, his son, Ja’Maare Fortenberry, his daughter, Ava Sutton, all of Monticello; two brothers Curtis Fortenberry of Foxworth, Gregory (Angie) Johnson of Gulfport; one sister Crystal Fortenberry of Foxworth; and a number of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends.