Gladys M. Fortenberry, 69 of Nazareth, Texas, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021 in Tulia. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, Oct. 30, at 10:30 a.m. in the Holy Family Catholic Church with the Rev. Bhaskar Adusupalli, the Rev. Nicholas Gerber, Deacon Bob Birkenfeld and Deacon Joe Hochstein as celebrants. Burial will follow in Holy Family Catholic Church under the care of Colonial Funeral Home of Dimmitt. Rosary will be recited at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 29, at Holy Family Catholic Church with vigil to follow.
Gladys Fortenberry was born on Sept. 29, 1952 in Slaton, Texas to Alphonse Frank Steffens and Elizabeth Mary (Acker) Steffens. Gladys grew up in Nazareth, and graduated from Nazareth High School in 1970. She then went on to West Texas State University and graduated with bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 1973. Gladys also attended Southeastern Louisiana University for an endorsement in Italian Bilingual Education. She taught school for many years in Dimmitt, Pampa and Hereford. After her retirement, Gladys also substituted teaching in Nazareth. She was a lifelong member of Holy Family Catholic Church where she served as coordinator of religious education along with several other responsibilities. Gladys was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America and Christian Mothers Society.
Those left to cherish her memories are her daughter, Angela Fulkerson and husband John of Nazareth; sisters, Teresa Wethington of Nacogdochesl Doris Steffens of Sundown; brothers, Victor Steffens and wife Veronica of Dimmitt, Val Steffens and wife Laura of Olton, Richard Steffens of Arizona, Howard Steffens and wife Juanean of Lockney, and David Steffens and wife Becky of Plainview; grandchildren, Katherine Fulkerson, Samantha Fulkerson, Michael Fulkerson and Benjamin Fulkerson; along with many nieces and nephews.
Gladys is preceded in death by her parents.
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