Kathryn Elizabeth Fortenberry, 64, passed away Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023, in Springfield, Ore.
Kathy was born on Nov. 25, 1958, in Newport Beach, Calif. She was raised in Lake Charles and was a 1976 graduate of Lake Charles High School where she was a member of the legendary Kilties Drill Team. She has lived nearly 20 years in Eugene, Ore.
She loved the beauty of nature: horticulture, going to the beach, singing, dancing and playing the piano.
Kathy’s daughter will always remember her love for animals and how special she made Christmas mornings when she and her brother were little.
Her friends in Oregon will miss the light of her bright spirit. They will most remember her as being a dear friend who always looked like she was going to walk the red carpet with her head held high.
She will be remembered by all for her beautiful smile and big laugh.
She leaves to cherish memories, her mother, Dolores Armstrong Crumpler (Ben); daughter, Allison Palermo Martin (Stephen); and three grandchildren, Sophia, Victor and Vivian; her son, Ashton Dennie; and grandchildren, Tresley and Tristan Dennie; three brothers, Frazier Fortenberry (Sara) and their children, Rawls and Claire, Craig Fortenberry (Dawn) and Kevin Fortenberry (Paula); aunt, Kay Gates (Jack); uncle, Rawls Fortenberry (Teresa); cousin, Sheila Gates Freeman (Brooks); friends in Oregon, especially Ms. Karen Beard, her nurse and friend who was with her in her final days.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Michael Furniss; father, Frazier Thompson Fortenberry; grandparents, Newton and Bernice Armstrong, and cousin, Steven Gates.
Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, March 17, 2023, in the Chapel of Johnson Funeral Home in Lake Charles. The Rev. Marcus Wade will officiate. Interment service will follow at Prien Memorial Park. Visitation Friday will be from 12:30 p.m. until the time of service in the funeral home.
Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at www.johnsonfuneralhome.net.