Phyllis Jo Blau Fortenberry was born on January 28, 1956, in the small town of Beaver, Oklahoma to Lewis P. Blau and Jennye Jo Barton Blau. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loved ones on May 6, 2024 in Houston, TX.

Raised on a farm in Booker, Texas, Phyllis graduated high school and then moved to Lubbock, TX to attend Texas Tech University. There she met the love of her life, Don Wayne Fortenberry. Don and Phyllis were married in Lubbock, TX on July 8, 1978. They moved to Odessa in 1978 and had two children, James Ryan and Kara Jo. They enjoyed forty wonderful years in Odessa and in 2018, they moved to Hideaway, TX to be closer to their children and grandchildren.

Phyllis loved Jesus and made it her mission to serve Him and others. She always sought to find joy in all things and every circumstance. She loved the verse 1st Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”. She volunteered with her church in various capacities such as organizing Women’s Fellowship luncheons, Festival of Tables, the Lakeside Class Annual Local Mission Auction, Wednesday night KaBam, and Vacation Bible School.

Phyllis’ other passion in life was teaching – something she spent over 27 years of her life doing. She taught in Odessa for ECISD and taught grades 2nd-5th. Phyllis loved her students and enjoyed helping them each achieve individual success. She was also awarded teacher of the year during her time at ECISD. As a gifted seamstress, Phyllis also sewed for the Angel Gowns for Texas. She enjoyed donating her time and made beautiful pieces. She was very creative and would love to make crafts with and for friends and family.

After her retirement in 2014, Phyllis and Don enjoyed ten years of traveling and seeing things they’d always talked about. They saw amazing sites around the country, had many wonderful meals, and enjoyed Texas Tech sporting events. They also enjoyed visiting their kids and grandkids and supporting them in a variety of ways.

To Phyllis, her greatest title was Banny. She loved her grandchildren and enjoyed visiting with them every chance she could get. She loved hosting the annual Pops and Banny Camp at their house in Hideaway and sending her grandkids fun things in the mail.

Phyllis is preceded in death by her father Lewis P. Blau. She was loved by her husband Don of Hideaway, TX; mother, Jennye Jo Blau of Lubbock, TX; brother Barton Blau and his wife Donna of Scottsdale, AZ; son Ryan and wife Jennifer, children Ryder, Kaselyn, and Kinsey Fortenberry of Red Oak, TX; daughter Kara and husband Mark Compton, children Mark and Elizabeth Jo Compton of Texarkana, AR; many loving nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins; countless friends and brothers and sisters in Christ.

Services will be Saturday, May 11th at 11am at Hideaway Lake Community Church in Hideaway, Texas.

Local florist recommendation is Sweet Expressions in Quitman, TX (903-763-5032).

As an alternative to flowers, monetary donations may be made in Phyllis’ name to the Hideaway Lake Community Church: Lakeside Class Local Mission Auction. 

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