Obituary of S. Rawls Fortenberry

S. Rawls Fortenberry, loving husband and wonderful father, was born June 27, 1936 in Lake Charles, Louisiana to Siebe Rawls Fortenberry Sr. and Lillian Thompson Fortenberry. He grew up in Lake Charles graduating from Lake Charles High School in 1954. He was a 4 year member and 3 year letterman of the football team playing man over center. He graduated from McNeese St. College with his degree in English. He started his brokerage career with Kohlmeyer & Company in 1964. He married the love of his life Teresa Mary Baragona in 1966. He then went on to work for AG Edwards and Sons as the manager of the Alexandria, Louisiana office. In 1972 he was hired to manage the Winter Haven, FL office. In 1985 he became the Florida regional manager of AG Edwards, responsible for over 50 offices, over 30 of which he opened. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church serving as president of the school board, was on the board of AG Edwards, the Orange Juice board of the Cotton Exchange and President of the Southeastern NASD. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, his sister Mary Beth Pulver and brother Thompson Fortenberry. He is survived by his loving wife Teresa Mary, his sons Chip (Mary Lou) Fortenberry, Chuck (Angela) Fortenberry and daughter’s Tracy (Greg) Vaughn and Kacy (Traig) Kaszyk. Grandchildren: Mary Jane, Anna, Gregory, Matthew, Connor, Thompson and Kolby. He enjoyed hunting and fishing at the Sungrove hunt club where he was a member from 1984 to 2020. He was an avid card player who enjoyed Bridge, Gin Rummy and playing poker with his friends. The funeral mass will be at St. Joseph Catholic Church Winter Haven on Friday September 29 at 11:00 AM. Reception to follow at The Country Club of Winter Haven. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Catholic Charities of Winter Haven, FL. 532 Ave M NW Winter Haven, FL 33881