Gary Eulis Fortenberry
April 1, 1954 ~ January 8, 2016
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Gary E. Fortenberry, 61, passed away after a long illness, Friday, January 8, 2016 at the John F. Keever Hospice Solace Center.
A native of Blountsville, Alabama, he was born April 1, 1954, the son of the late Eulis M. and Ivolee Bailey Fortenberry and was also preceded in death by a son, Paul Fortenberry.
Gary was a member of the Amazing Grace Church in Haw Creek and retired after 22 years service in the Engineering Department at Mission Hospital. He was an ordained Baptist minister and a volunteer chaplain at Park Ridge Hospital.
Gary is survived by his wife of 42 years, Kaye Hensley Fortenberry. They were married July 21, 1973 in Pontiac, Michigan. He also is survived by a son, Timothy Joe "T.J." Fortenberry of Asheville; a grandson, Easton Maxwell "Max" Fortenberry; three brothers, Larry, Terry and Rufus Fortenberry; former daughter-in-law, Yelena Radchishina of Asheville; sister-in-law, Judy Cummings of Highland, Michigan; dear friends, Ron, Sherry and Dawn Wells of Arden and Ruby Austin of Asheville; cousin, Rex Wooten of Smyrna, Tenn. and Gary's precious pet, Miss Lili.
The family would like to express their special thanks to the staff of Four Seasons and CarePartners for their loving compassionate care.
A funeral service will be held at 2 pm Wednesday in the chapel of Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue conducted by the Rev. Jeff Brooks and Chaplain Michael Lombardo. Interment will follow in Green Hills Cemetery. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service.
Memorials may be made to Amazing Grace Church, 315 Old Haw Creek Road, Asheville, NC 28805; Four Seasons Compassion for Life, 571 South Allen Road, Hendersonville, NC 28731; CarePartners Hospice, PO Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813 or to Gilead Ministries, PO Box 134, Marion, IN 46952.
T.J. my prayers are with your family and you. I myself know how hard it is to lose a father. My prayers that you find comfort knowing that you have your own angel in Heaven taking special care of you. If you need anything please feel free to call me. Love to you my special friend.
Kaye,
Gary was one of the kindest people I have ever met. He truly lived his Christian life for everyone to see and was a wonderful witness for his Lord.
I will never forget how good he was to Dennis when he was so sick. I know I will see him again one day in heaven.
Love you sweet friend,
Kim
Kaye, I continue to pray for you and Tim, that God’s peace and grace be with you over the coming days. Gary was a special soul, and will be sorely missed. I loved the memories video. The two of you fit together so beautifully. His smile never changed over the years! He smiled from the heart, and shared his happiness with all. God bless you.
Kaye, I am so sorry at the passing of Gary. My prayers are with you and your
KAYE, I’M SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. I KNOW THE PAIN YOU’RE FEELING. KNOW YOU ARE IN MY THOUGHTS & PRAYERS. I WILL SEE YOU WED. LOVE YOU NORMA
Kaye,I\’m sorry to hear about Gary. I would like to know what he and Lewis are doing now. Love and prayers, Shirley
What a beautiful tribute, Kaye. I so remember that little girl in that striped sweater and gorgeous hair, your two handsome little boys, your ‘new’ house in Pontiac and how hard the two of you worked on it, all your crazy animals — especially Precious/Snickers who could hear a potato chip bag being opened from miles away (loved the picture of her with Gary) and the love you had for each other way back then when you and I worked together for that one, short year. It’s so obvious from the rest of the pictures since that time that Gary was in love with you through it all. You were and are a very good wife, mother and grandmother. God will get you through tomorrow and beyond. Be sure and take a break and rest after all of this is done. We love you and will keep you in our prayers.
Oh Kaye
There is not a more beautiful or loving tribute to steadfast love and faith. Despite your sorrow and tremendous loss you have what most people can only dream of – a perfect love. God Bless ♡♡♡
Please accept our sincere condolences. Know that you are in our prayers in this time of grief. We have sent flowers representing Marie Saint and her children. Marie is the oldest sister to Eulis Fortenberry. She is 86 years of age.
Kaye, your job is done…you did your part (and did it well) ….now is the time to rest, breathe, rebuild yourself… God has been there for you…take care my friend.
Kaye, My condolences to you and the family. For me it is true that those who depart from this earth never truly leave. Their voice will always come to us by Grace. Their spirit remains alive in our hearts and minds, through us, they live on. You are in my prayers.
Kaye may we rejoice in the holy spirit of our Christ that the journey God has set forth for us can be an experience of LOVE HOPE AND PEACE . GOD’S hand has guided many of us to understand and accept things here on earth that we can not change . Love the father thy mother thy brother thy sister . Also cherish every moment we have amongst us . I pray you and the rest of your family can be able to learn mourn and heal from this . May Gods promise to all of us be full of the love you and Gary share towards one another and the NEW JOURNEY Gary is on be full of every promise god has gave all of us . With love and peace your smith family and Bruce smith .
Kaye and family-
We were so saddened to hear of Gary’s passing. I will always remember cutting up with him and the guys at the hospital (Richard, Sam, Lloyd and Jerry). I will always remember those good times. I know you all are hurting, but just know he made his footprint on this world, and he will always live in your hearts. I know he’s trying out his wings and he’s no longer in pain. Mom and I will be praying for you all in this difficult time. We love you.
Kaye we are so sorry we love you and Gary we really enjoyed the DVD prayers go out to you and the family!!! Love Jim and Janice Kirk
We were very sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. Our thoughts are with you at this very difficult time.
Kaye,
I am so sorry to hear about your husband passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Lynn Crossman
Baby it’s been 25 days and it feels like 25 years! I miss you so badly! I miss cuddling every night with Ms. Lili in the middle and watching old black and white movies. I miss the smell of Old Spice and hearing you say ‘baby you done good!’ You truly cherished the simple things! Sitting on the deck laughing and talking over a cup of coffee, having company, messing around in the garage fixing thins and spoiling me and our little Ms. Lili! You truly knew what was important; God, family, friends and each other. It was the hardest thing to let you go but you were not satisfied here and you knew without a doubt where you we’re going and could not wait to get there. I know you worried constantly about me and I still wonder why it wasn’t me first. You took such good care of me when I was sick. My work is not done and as you said 3 weeks before God took you, you told me to carry on with grace and dignity! I promise I will and I will pick up where you left off. I feel Gods ever presence and peace. He truly is faithful to his word! I feel your presence in every inch of this house that you worked so hard on. Ms. Lili and I carry on. I love you always and will see you someday. Wait for me at the gates of heaven. When my job on earth is done I will see my Savior first and then I can wrap my arms around you again and you can show me all over heaven! I love you. Kaye and our precious Ms. Lili!!!!!
I was thinking about you and Gary and thought I would check obituary to see if he has past. I am so sorry. My thoughts and prayers are with you. It was such an honor to have known you both. (Elizabeth house)