Julia "Judy" Malone Ross Fortenberry

Services for Julia “Judy” Malone Ross Fortenberry, 84, of Lone Oak, are scheduled for 2 p.m., Friday, September 12, 2025, at Lone Oak Baptist Church with Bro. Robert Cook and Greg Anderson officiating, under the direction of Bartley Funeral Home, Lone Oak.

Interment will follow in Hooker Cemetery, Lone Oak.

Mrs. Fortenberry passed away peacefully on September 7, 2025, in Rockwall. Born on June 4, 1941, in El Paso, Texas, to Clyde Scott and Ruby Lee Garner Ross, Judy moved to the Lone Oak area in 1955, where she would go on to build a life filled with family, faith, and service. On July 9, 1962, she married the love of her life, James Milton Fortenberry, in Lone Oak.

Judy was a dedicated member of the Lone Oak Baptist Church. She taught Sunday School for over 50 years, mostly in Lone Oak. She was also actively involved in the WMU and a member of the Lone Oak Civic Club. Her commitment to her community and church was evident in every aspect of her life.

For 23 years, Judy worked as the secretary for Lone Oak ISD, where she touched the lives of countless students, teachers, and families.

Outside of her professional and church life, she found joy in the simple things—gardening, canning, and cooking for those she loved. Her kitchen was always a place of comfort and hospitality.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, James Fortenberry; two brothers, Ben Ray Ross and John Lee Ross; and son-in-law, Wayne Blount.

Survivors include her son, James M. Fortenberry, Jr. and wife Leah of Lone Oak; two daughters, Jennifer Lynn Blount of Denison and Julie Ann Myers and husband Ray of Plano; eight grandchildren, Jill Bergin and husband Chris, Anna Petty and husband Robert, Katie Blount, John Ross Myers, Drew Myers and wife Natalie, Brooke Rich and husband Seth, Maggie Fortenberry, and Jenna Fortenberry; five great-grandchildren, Anderson, Madelyn, Tori, Nick, and Ellie; and numerous other relatives and friends.

Judy will be remembered for her unwavering faith, servant’s heart, and the deep love she had for her family and community.

Pallbearers are Gary Dooley, Terry Dooley, Mark Moore, Artie Cook, Jerry Payne, Kevin Hoefar, and Tommy Mobley.

Honorary pallbearers will be Charles Moore, Robert Stokes, and Nathan Barrett.

Memorials can be made to Hooker Cemetery Association 819 RSCR 4470, Point, TX, 75472 or Community Seeds P.O. Box 335, Point, TX, 75472.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m., Thursday evening at Lone Oak Baptist Church.