Leonard (Len) Goins Fortenberry

Mr. Leonard (Len) Goins Fortenberry, aged 81, of McGehee, Ark., died on March 25, 2018 at home. Len was born August 1, 1936 in Hermanville, Miss., to the late Leonard and Johnnie Ruth Fortenberry. He was a graduate of Desha Central High School Class of 1955. It was during his time in school that he developed a lifelong love of sports and excelled at baseball and basketball. Len served in the United States Army and was stationed at Fort Sill, Okla. While enlisted, Len played on the Fort Sill traveling baseball team. He retired from Terra International, after serving the Southeast Arkansas and Northeast Louisiana areas for many years. Len was a dedicated Christian man who loved his family and never met a stranger. He will be remembered as "Poppy" to his four granddaughters and his great-grandson, whom he dearly loved. Len is survived by his wife of 63 years, Ruth Gilbert Fortenberry. He is also survived by his sons, Todd Fortenberry of McGehee, and Carlton "Stoney" Fortenberry and his wife Krista, of Helena; a brother, Melvin Fortenberry of Booneville; his sisters, Audrey Young of El Dorado, and Linda Munnerlyn (Jimmy) of Dumas; granddaughters, Stephanie Tubbs (Zach) of Bastrop, La., Shelby Fortenberry of Monticello, Kelley and Caroline Fortenberry of Helena; and great-grandson, John Ross Tubbs of Bastrop; as well as a host of nieces and nephews. Visitation will be at Griffin-Culpepper Funeral Service Chapel in McGehee, Ark., on Tuesday, March 27 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., followed by graveside service at 2 p.m. at the McGehee Cemetery, with Brother Ben White officiating. Pallbearers will be Aubrey Lipford, Joe Owens, Toby Young, Matthew Young, Roy Fortenberry, and Bryan Smith. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to the McGehee Branch Public Library, 211 N. 4th Street, McGehee, Ark. 71654. Arrangements made by Griffin-Culpepper Funeral Service of McGehee, Ark. Online guest book may be signed at www.griffinculpepper.com.