Shirley Louise (Pannell) Morgan Fortenberry

Shirley Louise Morgan Fortenberry, 88, was home and surrounded by family when she went to be with our Lord on Tuesday, April 2nd, 2024.

Memorial service to be held on Monday, April 22, 2024, at First Baptist Church, 119 Co Rd 2822, Slidell, TX 76267.  Visitation at 9:30; Memorial Service at 10:30.

Shirley was born April 5th, 1935, to Burnice Clyde and Mary Louise (Voss) Pannell in Wink, Texas. She was united in marriage April 9th, 1994, to Leslie Fortenberry in Rosston, Texas. Shirley was a secretary in the Oil & Gas industry for much of her early life; in her final years of employment, she worked in the FDIC real estate department.  Shirley accepted Christ as a child and deepened her faith throughout life.  She was a member of Slidell First Baptist Church where she loved to help as she could in the nursery, planting flowers or helping with events.  She lived in Midland, TX, from her early teens until she graduated from Midland High School in 1953.  Shirley was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to many who will dearly miss her.

Shirley, known to many as ‘Meme’, never knew a stranger.  She always made people feel welcome and was genuinely impressed by their lives and accomplishments. She loved a party, and her favorites were gatherings at her home or roasting hot dogs down at the creek.  Shirley loved to travel and rarely turned down a new adventure.  Her hobbies included gardening, cooking, and decorating, and she had a deep love for all animals.  After spending many years traveling and living in big cities, Shirley relished her later life in the country at the home she and Les built on their ranch in 1997, where she resided until her passing. 

She was preceded in death by her parents Burnice, ‘Pap’, and Mary Pannell; 2 brothers, Milton and Carl Pannell.

Those left behind to cherish her memory are her husband, Leslie Fortenberry of Slidell, Texas; her daughters, Cindy DeShan and husband David of Midland, Texas, and Diana Gaddy and husband Mark of Canon City, Colorado; her son, Matthew Morgan and wife Alison of Ft. Collins, Colorado; 8 grandchildren, Eric DeShan and wife Shelley, Catherine Horton and husband Josh, Rebecca Wade and husband Kevin, Kyle Gaddy and wife Erin, Kelsey Moon and husband Alex; Noah, Jane, and David Morgan; 11 great-grandchildren; extended family members and a host of friends. 

In lieu of flowers, donations for a Slidell ISD scholarship can be made to:  Greenwood Masonic Lodge #779, PO Box 547, Greenwood, TX, 76246 - please indicate that the donation is in honor of the Shirley Fortenberry Scholarship or make donations to the Slidell Baptist Church, PO Box 104, Slidell, TX. 76267.

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