Jeanette Burton Fortenberry

A psalm of David.

Psalm 23 (New International Version)

Pine Log, Georgia was a beautiful place to raise a family. Joe and Lulie Burton lived there when they were blessed on March 15, 1932, with the birth of their second daughter, Jeanette. She, along with her sister, Dena, and her younger brother, Acey, grew up there among an extended family group and had fond memories of those days when most supplies were still purchased from a "rolling store." Jeanette attended Bartow County schools and ended her formal education after the ninth grade.

Jeanette met Charles Fortenberry on a Halloween night and the two married on July 31, 1948. Their family grew to include four children, Ron, Bill, Pam and Kim. Kennesaw became their home in 1957, and it was there that they remained.

Early years were especially difficult for Jeanette, who spent long hours ironing shirts for a nickel each to help make ends meet. In addition to sewing clothes for her children, Jeanette also made extra money sewing for others. Her work was exquisite.

It was in 1964 when Jeanette first began working part-time at Sears. At that time, women's work dress code allowed them to wear black, brown or blue dresses. Eventually, Jeanette went to work full time and retired from Sears in 1993.

Jeanette loved to cook and it showed. A tradition at the Fortenberry house was a big Sunday lunch. After church, the children gathered on Shirley Drive for a big lunch and always a homemade dessert. She loved her family and worked tirelessly to give them everything that they needed. Grandmother to five boys, Jeanette loved spending time with all of them, and they with her. She took special pride in being an integral part of each of their lives.

After her retirement from Sears, Jeanette began doing arts and crafts. Family members and friends were often surprised with gifts of her cross-stitch creations. She also added crocheting to her growing list of hobbies; a craft her own mother had enjoyed. Swimming was an activity that Jeanette learned in her retirement years. After becoming involved with water aerobics classes at Health Place and enjoying them so much, she took up swimming lessons, to the delight of her family; especially her grandsons.

Perhaps next to her family, Jeanette's two favorite loves were her friends and traveling. She often went on trips with friends via Leisure Time Travel Tours, and also enjoyed the group of Happy Voyagers at church. She loved to laugh and enjoy life. In 2002, Jeanette and several others went on a trip to make Jeanette's dream come true. When Jeanette visited Oregon, it was her 50th state. This made her list of travel destinations in the U.S. complete. She had been to all 50 of the United States as well as several other countries!

Diagnosed with colon cancer in 2004 and undergoing chemotherapy slowed Jeanette's activities somewhat. However, she still made sure she donated to victims of the Tsunami disaster and she also assisted a group at KUMC that helped battered women.

Jeanette Fortenberry was a caring and courageous woman. She always put the needs of others before her own and was quick to share her faith. When faced with the reality of her imminent death, she spoke often of her excitement to get to heaven and see her husband and parents again. God gifted Jeanette with great faith and incredible strength and courage. She loved her family and friends, and they loved her. They took care of each other. Always thankful for every blessing from God, Jeanette chose every day to make the most out of what God had given to her. She prayed continually and left to all of those who knew and loved her, a legacy of love, hope, faith and courage.