Robert Neil Fortenberry, 67, passed away Tuesday, June 11, 2013 at Baptist Memorial Hospital-East in Memphis, Tennessee. He was born to Chester Laverne "C.L" Fortenberry and Geraldine Haynes Fortenberry on January 7, 1945 in Monette, Arkansas. Visitation will be held at Canaan Baptist Church on 1008 N. Lehmberg Road in Columbus, MS, on Thursday, June 13, 2013 from 5 -8 pm. A memorial service is scheduled for 10 am Friday, June 14, also at Canaan Baptist Church. There will be no graveside services. Robert moved his family to Lowndes County, MS from Arkansas in the 1968 to farm the rich Black Prairie soil. His life's passion was farming, as he operated Fortenberry Farms and later R & J Trucking Company in Crawford, MS. He was a former member of Artesia Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, and then later moved his membership to Canaan Baptist Church in Columbus, Mississippi. Robert is preceded in death by his father, C.L. Fortenberry and his mother, Geraldine Haynes Fortenberry Lewis. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Rebecca Ann Jones Fortenberry, originally from Paragould, AR and currently in Columbus, MS; son Keith (Gayle) Fortenberry and daughter Tammy (Mickey) White both of Crawford, MS; brother Jerry Fortenberry, sister Joyce (Jerry) Dowler, brother Bill (Joy) Fortenberry, sister Faye (Doyne) Shaw all of Paragould, AR; brother Carey (Donna) Fortenberry of Little Rock, AR; Ava Jane Ellis of Westminster, SC; Johnny Fortenberry of Paris, AR and Smokey (Bill) Swope of Hot Springs, AR. Robert held a very special place in his heart for his grandchildren: Dustin White, Katelin White, Tyler Fortenberry, Neil Fortenberry and Zack White, all of Crawford. Family was very important to him, and his many in-laws, nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews were loved by him as well. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Robert's memory to Immanuel Christian School, 6405 Military Road, Steens, MS 39766 or the charity of your choice.