S. Wyatt Fortenberry

Sam Wyatt Fortenberry (known as “Wyatt”) died on Nov. 8, 2019, at the age of 84. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Linda Sue Magee Fortenberry; son, Michael Wyatt Fortenberry; daughter, Terri Fortenberry Prevost and husband Waylon; grandchildren, Colter Wyatt Fortenberry; Grayson Barry Fortenberry and wife Nikky; and sister, Joyce Fortenberry Evans. He is preceded in death by his parents, Willis and Annie Laurie Hand Fortenberry; daughter-in-law, Diane Mielke Fortenberry: his brother Willis Fortenberry Jr. and his wife Doris Davis Fortenberry; and his sister’s husband, Fred Evans.
Born on Dec. 22, 1934 in Tylertown, Miss., Wyatt served in the Air Force for 4 years, was honorably discharged, and attended and graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a bachelor’s degree. Wyatt and Linda married and settled in Bogalusa, La., where Wyatt was an employee of Crown Zellerbach, Southern Timber Division for 26 years as a system analyst. In 1986, Wyatt and Linda moved to Zachary, La., where Wyatt was an employee of the James River Corporation as a system analyst. Wyatt and Linda retired to Tylertown in 1993, where he lived until he died.
Wyatt was a quiet man who worked hard and was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather. He was especially proud of his two grandsons, Colter and Grayson. He loved to attend their sporting events and spend time with them. Wyatt loved his coffee, reading the newspaper, college sports, and playing golf and tennis with his Bogalusa buddies. In his retirement years, he loved cutting the grass at his Mississippi home, living the country life, attending his church, and working with his son in his two businesses. He was a member and deacon at New Zion Baptist Church. He was also a longtime member of The American Legion (Walthall County Post 56, Tylertown).