PLACE OF SERVICE: Pilgrim Rest M.B. Church, Carthage, MS

DATE OF SERVICE: Saturday, 7/2/2022 at 11:00 a.m.

INTERMENT: Pilgrim Rest, Carthage, MS

VISITATION: Friday, 7/1/2022 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

On June 22, 202, our merciful God, saw that I was worn and my body had become weary. Knowing that I didn't come here to stay always but I was a stranger in a strange land, I ask the Lord to release me from this old decaying body. That my soul may find rest. But, that was only a portion of my story.

On August 1, 1973, in Jackson, MS. I was born to my Loving Father and Mother. Ira "Gee" and Dorothy (Lyles) Fortune. Me being their only child, I was the apple of their eye. They were always in my corner and supported me along my life journey.

I joined Pilgrim Rest M.B. Church at an early age and with my profession of faith, I was baptized as a believer. I attended school in my early years at the Pilgrim Rest Head Start program. I entered and finished school in Carthage, MS. The home then of the mighty Carthage High Tigers. I loved and played basketball and football. Sports was one of my passions.

The majority of my adult life and career has been with the Leake County Correctional Facility. I was a Lieutenant for the C shift and was faithful to do the work, I was assigned. December of this tear would have marked my 24th year of service.

He who finds a wife finds a good thing. And obtain favor from the Lord. e and my wife, Janice Fortune celebrate 23 years together this year. God showed me favor. As she stood by my side through it all. Through the good and through the bad. God I am grateful.

I have so much to be thankful for down through the years as I say see you later to my loving wife, Janice Fortune; my precious mother Dorothy Fortune; my brother Clemon (Janice) Fortune; my beautiful daughter Ashanti Clayton; my stepsons Devan, and Brandon Bolton; all my grandchildren whom I love and spoiled a little bit more than I should have: Alyia, D.J., Jaleia, Kyra, Donavan, Sadie, Corrina, Ian, Janiya and Eva; my close and loving family the Fortunes and Lyles; my loving and caring aunts, Shirley and Katherine; my cousins as we grew up like brothers, Andre Fortune and Jerome "Black" Fortune; my friends Tyrone Leflore, Jamie Walker, Aaron Griffin, Eric Morgan and Vince Carter; my coworkers at Leake County Correctional Facility and so many others I have met along the way. I now join the ranks of those who have gone on before me, my Father, Ira "Gee" Fortune, my Uncles Ezra Fortune, James Fortune, Cecil Lyles, my grandmothers, Irene "Big Momma" Lyle and Effie "Ma Florence" Fortune Johnson and so many others.