Debra R. Fortenberry Obituary
Debra Rogers Fortenberry 73 years old from Hoover, Alabama, left her earthly home on June 1, 2023, after a battle with chronic kidney disease surrounded by family and friends at Grandview Hospital. She was born in Bessemer, Alabama as an only child to parents Murray Eady Rogers and Annie Idell Rogers, Alabama natives, who precede her in death. She was married to Mack Fortenberry, an Alabama native as well, who also precedes her in death. Debra went to school, worked, and lived in Alabama all of her life. Debra is survived by her only son Spencer Chase Rogers of Hoover, Alabama, along with her grandaughter Harper Skye Rogers also of Hoover.
It would be wrong to say that Debra lost her battle, because she never stopped fighting. No matter how sick she was, she was always determined to stay in the fight. When anyone else would have broken, Debra stayed strong. Through her, we know what resilience and perseverance truly look like. There was no quit in Debra. Just because she is no longer here, it doesn't mean she lost her fight. Though Debra's health had been failing in her latter years, few people knew the extent to which she struggled. Her joy of life and indomitable spirit kept her pushing through the pain.
Debra attended the University of Alabama before her acceptance to McWhorter School of Pharmacy at Samford University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science pharmacy degree. Debra loved helping others, which was a large part of why she chose to become a pharmacist, of which she practiced for 39 years. Helping people discover a passion to keep up the good fight and her love for her only son and granddaughter were her true joys in life. Debra was a compassionate spirit whose passion was caring for others in ways that her friends and family needed most. Throughout her life, Debra enriched her friends lives through her love language of acts of service, be it helping them selflessly or treating them to dinner. She loved meeting strangers and would strike up a conversation and have them laughing in minutes. Debra is now with her heavenly family and has truly earned her wings. Debra is survived by her son Spencer Chase Rogers, and granddaughter Harper Skye Rogers. Services celebrating her life will be held Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at 1pm, in the chapel of Valhalla Funeral Home with burial in Valhalla Cemetery.
