Michelle Fortenberry

Michelle Fortenberry, age 49 of Coker, passed away Monday, August 16, 2021. Services will be Friday, August 20, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. The body will lie in state one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will follow the service at Big Creek Cemetery. She was preceded in death by her mother, Betty K. Jones; grandparents, Tony and Lucille Kauchick of Coker and James and Mildred Jones of Goodsprings. Mrs. Fortenberry is survived by her husband, Brian Kelley Fortenberry of Coker; sons, Michael Andrew Fortenberry of Coaling and Logan Anthony Fortenberry of Coker; sister, Annette Jones Sherrill (Marc) of Northport; sister-in-law, Tricia LeAnn Fortenberry of Cottondale; father, Joseph Melton Jones (special friend, Susan Allen); in-laws, Eddy and Debora Cannon; nephews, Collin Sherrill (Katie), Copeland Sherrill, and Devan Fortenberry; and nieces, Libby, Camryn, Marlee, and Bailey Sherrill. Michelle Jones Fortenberry was born February 4, 1972, at Druid City Hospital in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She graduated from Northside High School in 1990. She then attended Shelton State and the University of Alabama. She was an artist with an eye for drawing, painting, and cooking. She owned and operated Chalkboard Antiques. She also worked with the Tuscaloosa County/City school systems as a bus driver and cook until she opened her restaurant, Dat’s Good. She served customers in West Blocton, Northport, and Fayette with a smile and complete dedication to them. Her love for cooking and making people happy was her niche. Unfortunately, three years ago, she had to close her restaurant down due to her failing health. She focused on her family and her health at that time. Much of her time was spent at home due to her illness and she had sweet puppy companions to help the hours pass. Sipsey, Shelby and her favorite, Penny Lane, were her hearts. During this time, she greatly missed her grandmother, Lucille, and her momma, Betty. She could not wait to be reunited with them in Heaven. She also adored her boys, Andrew and Anthony, with all of her heart. She encouraged and supported all they did. She was a beacon of love and complete dedication to them. She was married to her husband, Brian, for 25 years. Their trips to the beach and mountains were her favorite times. She will be greatly missed by all that knew her. She had such faith that a liver would be found and she would be healed. However, God had a different plan. She was in complete acceptance of this and was at peace with it. We grieve but we grieve with hope that she is at peace and in the arms of Jesus who has now healed her. Pallbearers are Andrew Fortenberry, Anthony Fortenberry, Collin Sherrill, Copeland Sherrill, Devan Fortenberry, and Roy Lofton. Honorary pallbearers are the Holy Spirit Catholic Church members, Grace Church in Tuscaloosa, Past employees of Dat’s Good and Chalkboard Antiques, Dr. Phillip Bobo, the 1990 graduating class of Northside High School, UAB CCU and Liver specialist, and Logan Gills, RN. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Holy Spirit Catholic Church Building Fund.