Johnny Burley Fortenberry, 75, entered peacefully into eternal life on June 14, 2015 after a brief illness. His devotion to his family and his firm belief in God supported him in his struggle and ultimately gave him peace. Johnny was born to Jesse and Mattie Fortenberry in Meridian, MS on July 17, 1939, the third of four children. The family soon moved to Detroit, MI, where Johnny grew into adulthood. Johnny accepted Christ at a young age, was a member of Corinthian Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Rev. Joseph R. Jordan, and was educated in Detroit, MI. Johnny’s life changed in 1956 at a Detroit skating rink when he was introduced to Barbara Dean Sarter; they were married on September 11, 1958. The couple was blessed with three children, L’Tanya, Lisa and Johnny, Jr., then eventually moved to Texas, settling in Midlothian. Johnny and Barbara resided there for twenty-seven years. Johnny was employed by Vought Aerospace for thirty-two years, retiring in 1995. His hobbies included a love of music, primarily jazz, bowling and photography. He was an avid gun collector and loved his automobiles. However, his true passion was the joy of being surrounded by family. Johnny leaves to cherish his memory his wife of fifty-six years, Barbara Fortenberry, daughter and son, L’Tanya Fortenberry-Poplar and Johnny, Jr. mother, Mattie Fortenberry-Gunn, sister, Joenell Holmes, four sisters-in-law, Lela Fortenberry, Deborah Fortenberry, Mary Fortenberry and Lawana Mitchell, brother-in-law, Darrell Darden, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews and host of other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Lisa, father, Jesse C., brothers Jesse Jr and Eugene, step-father, Aldine J. Gunn, sister-in-law, Deborah Darden and two brothers-in-law, Taylor Holmes and William Sarter. Johnny will be missed deeply, but lives on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. Visitation will be 10-11 a.m. on Saturday, June 20, 2015. A private family burial will follow at Midlothian Cemetery.