Joy Fortinberry

Joy Imogene Fortinberry, 96 (missed her 97th birthday by 3 hours), passed away

on June 16, 2021, at HPH Hospice in Lecanto, FL. She was born in Frankfort, IN,

on June 17, 1924, to Samuel H. Cutler and Mamie Pearl McLain Cutler. She is

preceded in death by both parents, her beloved husband of 55 years, Milton James

(Jim) Fortinberry who passed away in 2000, her brother Tom Cutler, and 4 sisters,

Lola Smith, Virginia Hodgin, Leona Collins, and Letha Phillippe. Joy is survived by

her son, Ronald Fortinberry (Sheree), daughters Connie Bookwalter (Bill) and Penny

Napp (Larry), 4 grandchildren, Chad, Justin, Staccie, and Shannon and 6 great

grandchildren, Miles, Audrey, Camden, Tristyn, Blake and Todd.

During the height of the Great Depression, her father died leaving her mother to

raise 6 children. Through those tough times, Joy developed an attitude to always

make the best of what you have and enjoy your time together. She was an eternal

optimist that always reminded us to look on the bright side of things. She had a

compassion and love of life that she shared with all she touched.

She retired from Indiana Bell Telephone Company in 1978 as Manager of Operator

Services, first in Frankfort, IN, and then in Kokomo, IN. She and Jim then moved

to Margate, Florida to be near their daughter, Penny. She most enjoyed her spare

time with her loving family, playing board games, card games, her beloved Bingo,

and was an avid reader.

For the past 16 years, Joy resided at Brentwood Retirement Community, Lecanto,

FL, first in an independent-living apartment and later in assisted living. When she

was able, she enjoyed all the activities with her many new friends: Bridge, Horse

Racing Games, Bingo, excursions to local attractions, and for several years she was

on the welcoming committee for new residents. She moved to assisted living in

2017. We are grateful for the loving care she received while there.

Interment with a private family service will be held in Frankfort, IN, at Greenlawn

Cemetery.  A Celebration of Life will be held on August 21st, 2021, in Frankfort,

IN. If you would like to honor her memory, the family suggests donations to HPH

Hospice in Lecanto, FL, in lieu of flowers.

Heinz Funeral Home, Inverness, FL.