Ruby Lee Laughter Fortenberry, 83, of Early Rd., Saluda died Saturday, March 5, 2011 at her home.
Born on May 21, 1927, she was the daughter of the late General D. and Sally Staton Laughter. The widow of Earl J. Fortenberry, who died in 1991, she was a lifetime resident of Polk County and a homemaker.
Survivors include two sons, Leland Fortenberry (Paula) of Campobello and Earl Gene Fortenberry (Joyce) of Mill Spring, and three daughters, Patricia Lawson (Ronnie) of Converse, S.C.; Carolyn Byers (Steve) of Mill Spring and Helen Tucker of Saluda. Also surviving are six sisters, Barbara Clontz of Columbus; Nettie Lou Thompson of Inman, S.C.; Glenda Silvey of Inman, S.C.; Kathy Hall of Landrum; Betty Short of Lenoir, N.C., and Nola Champion of Saluda; as well as two brothers, Albert Laughter of Green Creek and Dewight Laughter, also of Green Creek. She is also survived by 17 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren and seven great-great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by two daughters, Sally Louise Fortenberry and Shirley Garland; two brothers, Jerry Laughter and Edwin Laughter; one sister, Evelyn Robertson, and a grandson, Robert Earl Fortenberry.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 8, 2011 in the McFarland Funeral Chapel, Tryon, with the Rev. Hubert Street officiating.
Burial will be held at Moore Church of Christ, Moore, S.C.
Visitation was held from 6:30 – 8 p.m. Monday, March 7, 2011 in the McFarland Funeral Chapel, Tryon.
The family will be at the home of her grandson James Fortenberry, Old Melvin Hill Rd. Campobello.
Memorials may be made to Four Seasons Hospice of Hendersonville, N.C., 571 South Allen Rd. Flat Rock, N.C. 28731.
An online guest register is available at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com.
McFarland Funeral Chapel, Tryon.