Ruth Chambers Fortenberry

RUTH CHAMBERS FORTENBERRY, age 96, of Demorest, Georgia, passed away on Monday, August 12, 2013, at Northeast Georgia Medical Center. Born on November 12, 1916, in Habersham County, Georgia, she was the daughter of the late Thomas and Nora McEntire Chambers. She lived her entire life in Habersham County, was the oldest member of Fairfield Baptist Church, worked for many years at Piedmont Automotive, and was a homemaker. She enjoyed growing vegetables and flowers, quilting, and cooking. She loved her family and friends and, above all, she loved the Lord. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Gladys Fortenberry; daughter, Scarlett Fortenberry Whelchel; son, Hobert Fortenberry; son-in-law, Jerry Watkins; daughter-in-law, Patsy Ash Fortenberry; brother, Haskel Chambers; sisters, Nella Holcomb, Carolyn Crane, Marie Dillard, and Mary Willow Hood; and great-grandchild, Adam Elrod. Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Marvin and Elese Fortenberry, Demorest; son-in-law, Sam Whelchel, Clarkesville; daughter-in-law, Barbara Craven Fortenberry, Cornelia; brother and sister-in-law, Orem and Jessie Lou Chambers, Cleveland; sisters, Evelyn Wilson, Belmont, NC and Blanche Carpenter, Augusta, SC; 7 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 15, 2013, at Fairfield Baptist Church, with Rev. Keith Allison officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, August 14, 2013, at Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel, Demorest, Georgia. Flowers are accepted or donations may be made to Fairfield Baptist Church, 2236 Highway 105, Demorest, Georgia 30535. Those wishing to express online condolences to the Fortenberry family may do so by visiting www.whitfieldfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements are in the care of Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel, Demorest, Georgia.