Obituary

Olean McKenzie Fortenberry Easterling

August 21, 1933 - August 5, 2025

Olean McKenzie Fortenberry Easterling, age 91 and of Tylertown, passed peacefully from this life to the next, on Tuesday, August 5th, 2025, at her home of over 70 years, with her daughter and granddaughter at her side. She was born on August 21, 1933, at her grandparents’ home in the Dexter community, to Otho McKenzie and Edna Thomas McKenzie.  Struck with tuberculosis in her youth, she spent several years in the hospital and was told she would never hold a traditional job or have a child. 

Nevertheless, she showed great determination in pursuing those goals. She continued her studies with the help of tutors and other TB patients who had been teachers. She achieved the equivalent of a specialist degree in education and taught thousands of students during a 31 year career at Tylertown High School.  Her classes included accounting, typing, and computer applications. She sponsored the FBLA and led its members on many trips. She was one of the first women in her area to have an Apple computer at home in the 1980’s.  

She was married to her first husband for over 30 years until his passing and she had a daughter. She doted on her grandchildren and great children. Never one to be idle, she enjoyed a great many hobbies including conducting extensive genealogical research mostly in the days before the Internet, becoming an accomplished amateur painter, crocheting many historically accurate doll dresses that are still treasured by her granddaughter and great-granddaughter, and playing a mean game of Mexican dominoes. 

In different stages of her life, she attended Oral Baptist Church, Crystal Springs Baptist Church, and Tylertown Church of Christ. She was devoted to Bible study and the power of prayer. Never at any point in her life was she in doubt of her eternal salvation.  

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Olin McKenzie, her first husband Percy Fortenberry, her second husband Levoy Easterling, and her step- son and daughter-in-law, John and Sue Fortenberry. She is survived by her daughter, Mickie Fortenberry, her grandchildren Tiffany Rayburn-Wall (Marshall), Drew Rayburn, Damon Fortenberry, and Jennifer Fortenberry (Jim), and her great-grandchildren Lillie and Jacob Wall and Sydney an Ava Fortenberry, and numerous nieces and nephews.  Her family would like to especially thank Gloria Jackson, Tracey Lane, and Stephanie Harper for their excellent friendship and care in recent times.  

Visitation will be 10:00 Saturday, August 9th at Tylertown Church of Christ, with Bro. Shun Evans to conduct the service to follow at 11:00.  Burial will be in Crystal Springs Baptist cemetery. 

Hartman Hughes Funeral Home in Tylertown is in charge of arrangements.