Fortenberry

Berty Fay Goodwin Varner Fortenberry, 92 of Hereford, Texas, passed away Sunday, March 6, 2022, in Amarillo, Texas. Celebration of Life Funeral Services will be Saturday, March 12, at 11 a.m. at Westway Baptist Church with Pastor Ken Varner officiating. Burial to follow at Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Dimmitt, Texas. Arrangements and services have been entrusted to Mendez and Mullins Family Funeral Home of Hereford, Texas. Family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home on Friday, March 11.

Berty was born in Madras, Texas, on Nov. 12, 1929, to Carl Lee and Edith Fay (Cockram) Goodwin. Berty married Junior Morton Varner on Oct. 23, 1948, in Clarksville, Texas, and together they had three wonderful children. After Jr.’s death she married Durrel Fortenberry on Jan. 1, 2005, in Dimmitt, Texas. Berty worked as a dietary manager at Plains Memorial Hospital in Dimmitt, Texas, for over 30 years; she also worked for Green Thumb in Dimmitt. Berty was a member of the First Assembly of God, Top Club for 10 years, and was a Sunday School teacher for over 30 years and eventually became a member of Westway Baptist Church in Hereford. Berty loved reading her bible, singing for the glory of God, gardening, cooking, she admired animals, but most of all she cherished times with her family. She was a wonderful, caring mother and grandmother that kept her family united and was a rock to her family and friends.

Those left to cherish her memories are her children Marcus Varner and his wife Phyllis of Winchester, Virginia, Dean Varner of Amarillo, Ronnie Varner and his wife Sue of San Angelo, Texas; her siblings, Susan Crook of Clarksville, Texas, Laura Martin of Mt. Vernon, Texas, and Sally Branscom of Rio Rancho, New Mexico; five grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Berty is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Junior Morton Varner; three brothers Robert Lee, Billy, and Jimmy Goodwin; five sisters, Jo Ann Davis, Lucille Phelps, Nancy Allston, Joyce Marrow, and Polly Newton; two grandsons, Eric and Justin Varner; and a daughter-in-law, Marcie Varner.

You may go online and sign the guestbook at www.mendezandmullins.com