Phillip Fortenberry

Phillip Douglas Fortenberry, age 75, died Feb.1 from Multiple Myeloma complications. Phil was born on Nov. 2, 1942 in Tylertown, MS to the late Herman and Golda Fortenberry. He was the younger brother of Fred and Herman Wade, who pre-deceased him. Phil loved most things from Mississippi – especially his wife of 52 years, Frenchie. He also loved his in-laws as much as his immediate family.Phil and Frenchie moved to Nashville in the early1970’s for Phil to merchandize Christian books for Baptist Book Stores. A Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and a Master’s of Divinity were the perfect combination for his career. In retirement he turned this love and knowledge into a hobby of selling books online. To him, finding books was a treasure hunt at estate/yard sales, where he developed a host of friends. He was an avid reader. Two of his favorite authors were Joseph Campbell and John Claypool, who broadened his spirituality.He cared for the earth. He was composting and recycling long before it was cool. He even picked up trash and recycling when he walked in the neighborhood. He lived the motto, “Live simply so others can simply live”. He believed you should never buy something you cannot afford.Phil was spiritually at home in Glendale Baptist Church for 44 years. He enjoyed singing in the choir. His adult men’s Sunday School class, affectionately known as “The Roosters”, was a great source of joy and friendship. Phil was an honorable Christian man who believed in equality for all-regardless of race, religion or sexual orientation.Phil loved his daughter, Julie Hope and her indomitable spirit; and his son, Wyn, with whom he shared a love of the humor of Bob Newhart. He loved his daughter-in-law, Serena, and three grandsons, Douglas, William, and Malcolm. Monica and Brooke Cantrell and their children, Eli, Sidney and Gunnar, also held a special place in Phil’s heart. Phil was preceded in death by his beloved terrier-mix rescue dog, Tucker, and his grand-dog, Tarva.A Memorial Service will be held on Sat., Feb. 10 at 2:00 pm. at Glendale Baptist Church, 1021 Glendale Lane, Nashville, TN. In lieu of flowers at the service: teach a child to recycle, plant a flower bulb in his honor and watch it bloom, adopt a rescue dog, or feed the birds.