Barbara Smith Fortenberry Hederman

Barbara Fortenberry Hederman passed away peacefully at her beloved Jackson home on Thursday, June 24, with her daughter, Tina, by her side. She was 95 years of age. She was the last original resident of the street where she lived in Belhaven.

The funeral will take place on Saturday, July 10, at 11:00 am at First Presbyterian Church in Jackson. There will be a short visitation after the service in the church's greeting courtyard. A reception will take place at the Fairview Inn at 1:00 pm. Graveside services will be held on Monday, July 12, at 10:00 am at the Lakewood Memorial Park Pavilon, 6000 Clinton Boulevard, in Jackson.

Barbara Idelle Smith was born on February 1, 1926, to Sophia Idelle Summers Smith and Robert Sidney Smith, both originally from Brookhaven, Mississippi. She was born in her family's home off of West Capitol Street. Both Barbara and her sister, Sara Caroline ('lyn) Smith, were blessed with beautiful singing voices. They spent many hours during their childhood sitting in rocking chairs on their front porch, singing church hymns for all their neighbors to enjoy.

Barbara started driving at the age of 12 and, for years, drove her family all across the country and to Canada, experiencing wonderful, exciting adventures. Her favorite car? A Hudson.

Barbara attended Poindexter Elementary and Enochs Junior High where she played basketball. She attended Central High School and graduated in the Class of 1943.

Shortly after graduation, she attended Draughon's Business School. She graduated in two weeks because of her rapid shorthand skills and her excellent typing speed and precision. She could type 102 words per minute, with no mistakes, on a manual typewriter.

She went to work as a secretary for Standard Oil Company. During this time, she became enthralled with the TV show, Perry Mason. He and his assistant, Della Street, inspired her to become an attorney. She continued to work for Standard Oil during the day and put herself through the Jackson School of Law (now Mississippi College Law School) at night. She was one of only a few female students in law school and she always told her family that she scored the highest grade on the Mississippi Bar Exam that had been made up to that date. When she passed the bar, she became a divorce attorney for a firm in downtown Jackson. Before she went to the law firm each morning, she played nine holes of golf at the Hawkins Field Golf Course.

Barbara also attended modeling school in New Orleans for six weeks and, upon her return to Jackson, became a swimsuit model for the Emporium Department Store in downtown.

In 1952, she met Marshall M. Fortenberry, a young dentist, while dancing at the top of the Heidelberg Hotel. They were each on blind dates, but when they saw each other across the dance floor, it was love at first sight. After all, he looked a lot like Perry Mason. They married on October 19, 1952. His only condition before they married was that she learned to play bridge. She did and she became a fierce bridge player.

Barbara and Marshall raised three children together, Lisa, Tina and John. When John left for college, Barbara went back to work. She became the Office Manager at the law firm of Wells, Wells, Marble & Hurst for a number of years.

In 1982, Marshall died after a battle with cancer.

In September of 1986, Barbara married Zachary Taylor Hederman, Sr., a dear friend and neighbor. They had a wonderful relationship. They enjoyed playing bridge and traveled the world together more than once. Her favorite city in the world was Florence, Italy. She enjoyed being with his children and his grandchildren who she considered her own. Zach passed away in January, 2004.

Barbara's life was truly amazing and blessed. She had many hobbies and interests. She was one of the first docents at the Governor's Mansion where she loved giving tours. She volunteered at the Baptist Hospital Flower Shop where she made arrangements for patients. She was a member of The Research Club, The High Noon Luncheon Club, The Southern Luncheon Club, the 1:00 Luncheon Club and The Knife and Fork Club. During her years of community service, she served as President of the Hinds County Federation of Women's Clubs and President of the State Dental Auxiliary. She was a member of garden clubs and several bridge clubs. She taught Sunday School at First Presbyterian Church and was a dedicated Brownie and Girl Scout Leader.

Barbara loved her miniature dachshund, Frankfurter Fortenberry. When they heard sirens, they would run jump in the car and enjoyed chasing fire trucks together. She was a terrific cook especially when it came to desserts. Her caramel cake and peppermint pie were the absolute best.

She loved crossword puzzles and jumble word puzzles and completed them every day, up until about five years ago, without mistakes. She loved jigsaw puzzles, babies, animals, Milky Way bars and all flavors of ice cream. She took ceramics classes and enjoyed making rabbits, birds, napkin rings and angels. She saw an angel when she was seven years old; thus began her journey of loving and collecting angels. She enjoyed sewing, making quilts and doing thread count. Her thread count angels have been on display at local schools and museums. Her favorite holiday was Christmas and she always put out her 302 Christmas trees (all sizes) around the house. Putting them out was easy. Putting them away was a different story. And, over her lifetime, she made entirely too many Christmas ornaments. She also loved Jackson Prep and always smiled big and bright when they won their football games.

She enjoyed movies, especially the old classics like "Gone with the Wind", "Rebecca", "San Francisco", "Gaslight", and "Now, Voyager". She loved Clark Gable, Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald. She saw every single Shirley Temple movie. "Heidi" was one of her favorites.

Most of all, she treasured reading her beloved books. She read thousands and thousands of books during her lifetime.

Barbara was the epitome of a gracious Southern lady, not only in looks, but also in word and deed. She was kind, sweet, polite, her makeup was always immaculate, her hair was always perfectly coiffed and her shoes always matched her purse. She had a great sense of humor. Her smile was unforgettable and there was always brightness in her beautiful blue eyes. She was terrifically brilliant, filled with joyful laughter and had the most amazing heart.

Barbara was an awesome grandmother. She adored spending time with her grandchildren. She made frequent trips to New York City to visit Tess and Chance Fortenberry and she loved creating special celebrations (especially Easter Egg hunts) when they traveled to Jackson. All her grandchildren brought her great joy.

She was a long time member of First Presbyterian Church. She moved her membership to the First Baptist Church when she married Zach Hederman, Sr. Upon his death, Barbara returned to First Presbyterian Church. She loved God, her family and her friends. She prayed and read her Bible often and was involved in several women's Bible study groups. In her later years, when asked if she was afraid of dying or afraid of death, she replied, “No, because I will never experience death. When I leave this earth, I will be with God and Jesus and all the angels.”

She is predeceased by her parents; her beloved sister, Sara Caroline ('lyn) Smith; her first husband, Marshall M. Fortenberry; and her second husband, Zachary Taylor Hederman, Sr. She is survived by her daughters, Lisa S. Fortenberry of Los Angeles, CA and Tina L. Fortenberry of Jackson/Los Angeles and her son, John Fortenberry (Nelle) of New York City; her grandchildren Tess Fortenberry and Chance Fortenberry of New York City; Rebecca (Becky) McQuarter of Jackson, who was her constant companion of over 67 years; Carol Hederman Tatum of Cleveland, MS and her sons Zachary Tatum (Allegra) of Memphis, TN and John Tatum (Becky) of Water Valley, MS; Zach Hederman, Jr. (Susie) of Jackson, MS and their children Lee Margaret Hederman Piper (Kris) of Laguna Beach, CA and Stuart Hederman of Oxford, MS; Marty Ann Hederman May (Bill) of Jackson, MS and their children Mary Margaret May Culpepper (John) of Nashville, TN and Madeline May Brewer (Andrew) of Gluckstadt, MS; and many treasured and beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors.

The family would like to express special thanks and sincere appreciation and gratitude to her doctor and friend of 12 years, Dr. George Patton, the most compassionate man and physician. Also a special thanks to Dr. Marion Wofford for her kindness, caring, encouragement and patience over the years. And especially heartfelt thanks to the wonderful, kind, excellent caregiving team of Deborah Dixon, Sheila Carter and Johnnie Morris. Special thanks also to caregivers Lynnette Beasley and Diane Arnold. Mother wouldn't have made it this long without any and all of you. A job well done.

Honorary pallbearers are Sam Lane, Mike O'Connell, Dr. Barry Gillespie, Walter Taylor, Dr. George Patton, Dr. William S. Cook, Jr., Vaughan McRae, Stuart Hederman, Doug Hederman, Zachary Tatum, John Tatum, Andrew Williams, Dr. Al Chestnut, Zach Hederman, Jr., Kenneth Fortenberry, Geoffrey F. Dobbyn, and Tess Fortenberry and Chance Fortenberry.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts and donations may be made to Jackson Preparatory School, 3100 Lakeland Drive, Flowood, MS 39232; to the Marshall M. Fortenberry, DDS Memorial Scholarship Endowment, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Development Accounting/Office of Development, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39216; The Greater Belhaven Neighborhood Foundation, 954 East Fortification, Jackson, MS 39202; The Robert Sidney Smith Memorial Library Fund at Mississippi College, Mississippi College, Box 4005, Clinton, MS 39058; First Presbyterian Church, 1390 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39202; or to a charity of your choice.

Barbara was a bright shining star in this world and in the Jackson community. May her soul rest in peace now and forever. You are now living with God and Jesus and all the angels.

We love you and miss you, mother. Until we meet again.

Please visit www.parkwayfuneralhomeridgeland.com for an online guestbook.