Memorial Services will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, October 27, 2018, at Cedar Grove Baptist Church for Miriam Elaine Beard Fortenberry, 74, of Columbia, MS who died peacefully on Tuesday, October 23, 2018 at Columbia Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center. A time of visitation will be from 10:00am until service time. Reverend Todd Sumrall will officiate at the service and interment will follow at Cedar Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.
Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, Mace Beard and Olivia Gurka; and her two brothers, George Beard, and Tony Beard. She is survived by her two sons, Jamie Fortenberry (Gerri) of Columbia, and Jason Fortenberry (Memrie) of Madison, MS; four grandchildren, Blake (Brandy) Dupuy, Braxton Dupuy , Mamie Fortenberry, and Lela Fortenberry; and one great-granddaughter, Presleigh Dupuy. She was married to the late James C. “Jimmy Shine” Fortenberry of Columbia, and the late Robert L. Jackson of Baton Rouge, LA. She was an active member of Cedar Grove Baptist Church.
Elaine spent her early childhood in Mt. Vernon, Indiana, but lived the majority of her life in Columbia, with some time in Baton Rouge, and Nashville, TN. She loved her work and she loved to travel, but her passion was spending time with her friends and family, all of whom she cherished and adored. She never met a stranger, and no one ever had to guess what was on her mind. She was strong-willed and expected much from those in her charge, but she was equally soft-hearted, and always strived to give just as much in return. She worshipped her Lord and Savior with true reverence and devotion, and faced her demons with unwavering strength and character. She took nothing for granted, and always counted her blessings. When she faced adversity, she leaned on her family, her friends and her faith. She overcame, and learned, and grew. She never gave in, but always gave all that she had – whether of herself or her possessions. Most of all, she showed us that you don’t have to be perfect to be a perfect example. She will be missed immensely by those who knew and loved her.
The family is most grateful to Columbia Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center and Encompass Health Hospice for their loving care and support.
Memorial donations may be made in her name to Cedar Grove Baptist Church, 44 Cedar Grove Rd, Columbia, MS 39429, or to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org.
