Rogell Wade Fortenberry

Funeral services for Rogell Wade Fortenberry, 80, will be held on Saturday, September 29, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Emmanuel Baptist Church with Reverend Dr. Chad Hardbarger officiating. Interment will follow at Centuries Memorial Park in Shreveport, LA on Mansfield Road. Visitation with family will be held on Friday, September 28, 2018 at Rose-Neath Southside Funeral Home from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Rogell was born on June 19, 1938 in Silver Creek, MS to Ned Fortenberry and Carrie Marie Wilson Fortenberry and left to be with his Lord and Savior on September 21, 2018 surrounded by his family after a brief battle with cancer. While attending Silver Creek High School, Rogell was on the varsity basketball team and was voted \"Class Favorite\" every year. He later became the first member of his family to receive a college degree. He graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration in 1961. During his college years, he hitchhiked the 50 miles to college and stayed in an Army quonset hut on campus. During the summers, he paid for his college education by working on highway and railroad crews. Rogell enlisted in the United States Army Reserve in 1961 and was honorably discharged as a Section Chief in 1967. After college, Rogell worked many years in the insurance industry starting out as a claims adjuster and ending his career as a Claims Manager over the accounts in several states. He was also a Certified Fraud Examiner who assisted the US Government in investigating fraud. He enjoyed fishing and outdoor activities and was the President of the local chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation for several years. His dog, Shadow, was a constant companion in his final years. Rogell was married to Diane Fortenberry for 57 years and was a devoted husband, father, grandfather (Papa), and great-grandfather. He was ordained as a deacon at the Florida Boulevard Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, LA and was an active deacon at Emmanuel Baptist Church. Rogell was a people-person who never met a stranger. He enjoyed writing and researching historical events, particularly military conflicts. He also had a profound interest in archaeology. Even while living in Louisiana, he always rooted for the Ole Miss Rebels. Rogell was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Raymond Fortenberry and Calvin Fortenberry. Left to cherish his memories are his beloved wife of 57 years, Diane Myers Fortenberry; son, Darin Fortenberry (Amy); daughters, Susan Fortenberry and Sandy Fortenberry Joiner (Tom); sister, Myrna Fortenberry Jordan (Maurice); brother, Ned Fortenberry, Jr. (Gloria); grandchildren, Michel F. Duvall (Moss), Chelsea F. Dykes (Stephen), Alex Joiner, Austin Joiner, and Aidan Joiner; and great-grandchildren, Ashton Dykes, Brynn Duvall, Tucker Duvall, Jaxon Dykes, and Ellie Duvall. He will be greatly missed by numerous family members and friends. Honoring Rogell as pallbearers will be Gordon Garcie, George Smith, Burt Grubbs, Ron Denny, Jimmy Sitter, and Mark Walker. Honorary pallbearers are the Deacons of Emmanuel Baptist Church. Special Honorary Pallbearers are Moss Duvall, Stephen Dykes, Alex Joiner, Austin Joiner, and Aidan Joiner. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Emmanuel Baptist Church in Shreveport, LA or to St. Judes Children\'s Research Hospital in his name.