Lamelda G. (Brand) Fortenberry of Tuckerman, Arkansas, departed this life on Friday, September 12, 2025, at the age of 97. She was born on October 29, 1927, in Lawrence County, the daughter of Jeff and Gracie (Huskey) Brand.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe D. Fortenberry, Sr.; two sons, Joe D. Fortenberry, Jr. and Gregory Dale Fortenberry; two brothers, John Brand and LeRoy Brand; four sisters, Velma Hartwick, Thelma Smithee, Audrey Gilbert, and Ruby Neil Adams; and her parents.
Miss Lamelda G. Brand married the love of her life, Joe D. Fortenberry on November 24, 1942; together they shared 53 years of marriage. They worked side by side as owner and operators of the Newport Truck Stop, The Country Cafe, a grocery store, and Fortenberry Farms. She was a talented seamstress and enjoyed working on crafts. Mrs. Fortenberry was a member of the Tuckerman EHC for over 50 years and volunteered at Harris and later Unity Hospital. She enjoyed watching westerns. Mrs. Fortenberry was a long-time member of the Tuckerman Baptist Church, where she was active in her ladies’ Sunday School Class.
Mrs. Fortenberry is survived by one daughter, Barbara Fields and husband, Jim, of Tuckerman; five grandchildren, Susan Fields Clay and husband, David, of Tuckerman, Joey Fortenberry of Tuckerman, Todd Fortenberry of Tuckerman, Travis Fields of Tuckerman, and Jason Fortenberry and wife, Amanda, of Tuckerman; ten great grandchildren, Brandy Toddy, Summer Sutherland, Cody Helms, Sara Helms, Olivia Helms, Jeff Clay, Kristen Muncrief, Shelby Fields, Jamison Fortenberry, and Anna Fortenberry; eleven great great grandchildren.
Graveside services will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday at Dowell’s Chapel Cemetery. Friends may visit at the funeral home, Tuesday, 12:30 p.m. until 1:30 p.m.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers will be Joey Fortenbery, Todd Fortenberry, Jason Fortenberry, David Dixon, Cody Helms, and Stanley Crabb. Honorary pallbearers will be David Clay and Eddie Green.
Arrangements by Jackson’s Funeral Home.
