Charlene Fern Fortenberry
1930 – 2021
Charlene Fern Fortenberry was born in rural Pontotoc, Oklahoma on August 15th, 1930, to Homer Kuykendall and Willie Mae Kuykendall. She joined her Lord on December 14th, 2021, at the age of 91.
Her parents were both educators and Charlene was a quick-learner. She graduated Ada High School at the age of 16 and attended college at East Central State College in Ada. That is where Charlene met her lifelong partner and soulmate, Edward Lee Fortenberry. She was a ticket taker at a movie theater down the street from the college and Ed would visit her there almost nightly. They married soon after in Ada, OK on July 2nd, 1946. They remained by each other’s side until Ed passed away almost 2 years ago to the day, December 10th, 2019.
After college, Charlene followed in the footsteps of her parents and became an educator, as well. She retired after 45 years of teaching in 1995. Upon retiring, she and Ed would travel the country by car, bus, plane and boat. They really enjoyed taking cruises. The favorite cruise, and there last, was an Alaskan cruise with their daughter, Denise Wright. To say that Charlene and Ed were Sooner fans, would be an understatement. They were rabid Sooner fans! They were season ticketholders for over 50 years, to both men’s and women’s basketball. And, of course, football.
Charlene was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She loved to spoil all of her kids. Her favorite time of year was Christmas. She loved her family Christmas Eve parties where she would cook and make candy for weeks prior to the party. And everyone in the family looked forward to making those wonderful memories on Christmas Eve.
Charlene was preceded in death by her loving husband, Ed Fortenberry; their daughter, Debbie Fortenberry and grandson, Christopher Wright. She is survived by her two children, Denise Fortenberry Wright and her husband Steven Wright of Meeker, OK. She is also survived by her son, Kevin Fortenberry, and his wife Tammy Zerger Fortenberry of Wylie, Texas. The surviving grandchildren are Jason Wright of Edmond and Jeremy Wright of Meeker, OK, Captain Tyler Fortenberry of Richmond, VA, Keegan Fortenberry of Edmond, OK, Samantha Dooley-Wilde of Ponca City, OK and Desiree Dooley of Wylie, TX. She and Ed were also blessed with 11 great-grandchildren. They were longtime members of the First United Methodist Church of Edmond.
Graveside Services will be at 10:00 A.M. on Monday, December 20, 2021 at Gracelawn Cemetery.