Celebration of Life Ella Victoria Fortenberry

Ella Victoria Morris was born the youngest of three siblings to Annie Mae Pope-Morris and Rafort Morris on October 6, 1923 in Columbia, Mississippi. On Monday, October 22, 2012, her loving soul departed for her final rest. 

Victoria grew up in Columbia, Mississippi. At an early age, she accepted Christ and was baptized. She has worshipped at Butler's AME Zion church for over 50 years. She continued to cherish her church home until her death.

Victoria graduated 2 years early as Valedictorian of her high school class for Marion  County Training School in Columbia, Ms. She then went on to attend Alcorn A&M College where she earned her bachelors degree in English and Social Studies. She attended Southern University, Atlanta University, and Southeastern Louisiana where she received her certification in Library Science.

During her years at Alcorn University, she met and married Howard Fortenberry and to this union  a daughter, Delores was born. She later moved to Amite, LA where married Lathan Lucien, Sr., Victoria devoted her life to education and mentoring others. She began her career in Picayune, MS and later moved to Louisiana where she taught at O.W. Dillon, West Side High School, Ponchatoula High, and Amite High. After her retirement in 1980, she taught an additional 12 years as an Adult Education Teacher at Amite Hight School. There were the years that were held dear in her heart. 

She leaves to cherish here memory three grandchildren; Sam Ronadl (Renida ) Lewis, Dr. , Houston, TX; Darren Lewis, Houston, TX; and Mia( Kenyell) Lewis, Amite, LA; seven great-grandchildren; Jalexia Brown, Baton Rouge, LA, Precious Brown, Augusta, Gal Raphael Watson, Franklinton, LA; Roneshia Lewis and Portess Lewis, Hammond, La; Diamondneshay War and Dominque Lewis, Hounston TX; One nephew, Clifton "Sonny (Easter) Washington, LA Vegas, NV; a dear friend (Leola (Harry) Denhamn Ontario CA and devoted father of her grandchildren, Sam Ronald Lewis, Sr., Amite LA

Mrs. Fortenberry was preceded in death by her parents, Annie Mae and Rafort Morris of Columbia MS; one bother Edward Pope fo Chicago, IL; one sister, Etta Mae Pople of Columbia, MS; a daughter; Etta Delores Lewis Gaten; and aunt, Margaret Pope, Columbia MS>

A Celebration of Life in Honor of Isabell "Bell" Harrell Cook

Obituary

But they wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they run, and not be weary; and they shall, and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31

Our Beloved Mother and Matriarch, was loved by so many family members and friends. Her kind ways, and love for cooking and entertaining her family and friends was something she truly enjoyed. On Monday, March 30, 2020, mother entered into her eternal rest at the home of her oldest son Reginald Cook and her daughter-in love-Debra in Slidell, Louisiana.

Mother was the fifth cild of ten children born to Jasper Harrell, Sr, and Josephine Richardson Harrell on December 25, 1939 in Amite, Louisiana. She was baptized at and early and love serving her Heavenly Father. IN her early years she attended Gordon Chapel Church of God in Christ in Amite, Louisiana.

Mother enjoyed cooking, shopping, gardening and going out to eat. She graduated from West High School in the class of 1958. She played on the basketball team at Big Zion School in Roseland, Louisiana. 

Mother leaves to mourn but cherish her beautiful legacy; four devoted children, one daughter; Dr. Antoinette Harrell (Wallace), of Kentwood, Louisiana, Officer Reginald (Debra) of Slidell, Louisiana.  Thomas Cook of Violet, Louisiana, and Micheal Cook, Sr. of Reserve, Louisiana.  Two brothers; Elder Henry Harrell (Sarah) of New Orleans, Louisiana, Oliver Jackson, Sr., (Pat) of Amite, Louisiana, and one sister; Evangelist Delores Harrell Washington (Henry) of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for Sisters-in-Love, Sadie G. Harrell, of New Orleans, Louisiana. Mary Ann G. Harrell of Amite, Louisiana, Mildred A. Harrell, of Zachary, Louisiana, Cherry Ann Harrell of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. One Godchild; Dwayne Bergeron. 

Mother loved her sixteen grandchildren; Joseph Lacoste, Tarain Dennis, Tashonty Toney, Bernard Temple, Michael Cook, Jr., Mykel Cook, Kentrell Walker, Thomas Green, Quentin Singleton, Sarah Cook, Nakiva Cook, Ireon Jones, Scott Moore, Chanda Tapley, Terrance Cook, Lemell Chandler.

Mama Bell loved her twenty great-grandchildren. She held a very special place in her heart of each o the. She loved cooking gumbo and making her favorite strawberry cake for them; Jo'elle, Chase, Connor, and Carter LaCoste, Lela Singleton, Na'Kala Dunkins, Yoshio Jackson,  Joscill Irving, Johncuell Bibbins, Yosnkel Bibbs, Aleya Dennis, Terrell Dennis, Kaliyah Cook, Adian Cook, Quran Walker. 

Mother was truly blessed to have a beautiful and devoted daughter-in-love to help care for her. Debra Cook loved her and took care of her with gentle care. She also leaves to cherish her beautiful memories a host of nieces,  nephews, and cousins.

She preceded in death by her parents; Jasper Harrell, Sr. and Josephine Richardson Harrell; One Sister, Catherine Harrell Lewis; Six brothers; Elder Jasper Harrell, Jr., Elder Frank Harrell, Sr., Elder Roosevelt Harrell, Sr., Elder Herbert Harrell, Elder Raymond Harrell, Sr., One Sister-in-Love; Missionary Primrose Bennett Harrell.

Shaking the Hart Family Tree of St. Helena Parish

Elizabeth Hart Randles
Photo Courtesy: Lynette Randles

My maternal 3rd great-grandmother Rosa Hart Vining came from a huge family. My Vining and Richardson families know very little about the Hart family. I want to learn more about the Hart family. I started to look at some of the public trees on the Hart side of the family.

One of  William Warren Randles and  Elizabeth Hart Randles   descendants sent me photographs of her aunts and uncles. Despite not knowing anything about them. Social Media had provided a venue for the families to meet each other.

For thousands of families in the East Florida Parishes have no knowledge of their family history in the 1800s. They have no idea where to begin and how to start researching their long lost family members and ancestors.

What little information you have about your ancestors or family can be vital to making the family history connections. When we see study local history and family history, we can learn so much about our own history.  My mother often talked about our family being related to the Hart family,  but she didn't know how we were related to them. The fact that she knew we were related to them was enough for me to get started conducting genealogy research on the Hart family of St. Helena.

Lynette Randles shared the photographs in this blog with me. During and after Reconstructions many family migrated to other parts of the United States. Green Hart moved to Texas and soon some of his descendants made their way to Phoenix,  Arizona. George was born in 1834. In the United States Federal Census he was living in Ward 2, St. Helena, Louisiana. He was married to Celia Dudley, and they had thirteen.  The images on the flyer are the children of William Warren Randles and Elizabeth Hart Randles.