Dorothy Clement Fortney

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Visitation Schedule
Memorial Visitation
Roller-Owens Funeral Home
5509 John F. Kennedy Blvd
North Little Rock, AR  72116
Friday, September 16, 2022
6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
Lakewood United Methodist Church
1922 Topf Road
North Little Rock, AR  72116
Saturday, September 17, 2022
10:00 a.m.
Cemetery
Lakewood United Methodist Church Columbarium
1922 Topf Road
North Little Rock, AR  72116

Dorothy Clement Fortney

of North Little Rock, AR

June 16, 1934 - September 9, 2022

Dorothy Rose Saunders Clement Fortney of North Little Rock, daughter of William A. (Babe) and Pearl Moffitt Saunders, passed away on September 9, 2022.

Dorothy was born June 16, 1934, in Little Rock. She was blessed with a happy, carefree childhood, loving parents, and a caring older brother, William A. (Bill) Saunders Jr. She attended Little Rock public schools graduating from Little Rock High School in 1952. She attended William Woods College in Fulton, MO for one year and completed her studies at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville where she was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha.

After college she worked for Hallmark Cards in Kansas City, MO where she met and married a freshman dental student from Lonoke, AR, Lemuel Vance Clement. Upon receiving his dental degree, they lived at White Sands Missile Range, NM for two years while he served in the Army.

Returning to North Little Rock to establish a dental practice, they raised three sons, Scott Thomas Clement, David William Clement, and Lemuel Vance Clement, Jr. Dorothy was a stay-at-home-mom for ten years and spent many happy hours watching her sons participate in every sport, Cub and Boy Scout activity, the PTA, and in the high school and U of A Band. A special pleasure for her was having all the boys' and their friends play basketball in the driveway and football in the front yard.

She returned to the work force with Penn Mutual Life Insurance for 13 years and eventually became an agent. She later worked as an Administrative Assistant to the Director of Arkansas State Parks where she retired.

Dorothy was always involved in community activities: Pulaski County Dental Auxiliary, Junior League of North Little Rock, North Little Rock Progressive League, P.E.O., Life Quest, and several bridge clubs. Lakewood United Methodist Church was very important to her, and she served and supported the church in various capacities throughout her life.

Dorothy considered herself a very lucky and blessed woman. She loved, and she was loved. Her boys were devoted to her. She had a special circle of five fun, zany, widows who comprised ''The Flaming Spoon Dinner Club'' and were simply known as ''The Spoons''. After meeting for three years, they decided to publish a cookbook. The Spoons were in the newspaper; were on morning TV; and were asked to speak at clubs in central Arkansas and the surrounding area. In the end, they sold over 3,000 cookbooks and mailed them to almost every state in the USA as well as a few overseas. The Spoons were always there for each other both in good times and bad. Dorothy especially enjoyed travel including her European trips when Vance lived in Belgium and a backpacking trip through Austria, Italy, and Spain with David. She also enjoyed entertaining and planning events for family and friends, as well as reading, bridge, walking, and gardening.

She was a poor manager of time. She always tried to squeeze in too much and was usually (always) late. She adored sweets and coffee in that order, loved ballroom dancing, and as a widow learned to square dance. She liked to hike and climbed Mt. Magazine in her fifties which she regarded as one of her greatest days. She enjoyed photography, and she loved going to Mountain Harbor on Lake Ouachita with family and friends. She started (and quit) many things such as substitute teaching, French 101, beginner handbells, exercise class, being an Encourager at a neighborhood elementary school, church choir, teaching Sunday School, and Weight Watchers. Two goals she never reached were as a little girl she wanted to work behind the salad counter at Franke's Cafeteria, and in her teens wanted to be a Rockette at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. She also enjoyed writing. She even wrote this obituary so her sons wouldn't have to.

One of her greatest blessings came relatively late in life. She and Colonel A. Robert (Bob) Fortney married in 2009 at the age of 75 and 88 respectively. Dorothy once asked Bob why he married her, and he replied that she had ''potential.'' Upon marrying, they jointly hoped for ten good years. They had that and more. They traveled the world and loved each other.

She is preceded in death by her parents and both husbands. She is survived by her precious sons and daughters-in-law, who were the joy of her life: Scott (Debbie) and their two daughters Callie and Carly of Little Rock; David (Libby) and their two sons Landon and Carson of Atlanta; and Vance (Sherrill) and their daughter London of Fayetteville; as well as her thoughtful brother Bill Saunders of Little Rock and his son Andrew Saunders of Los Angeles. She was fortunate to have two wonderful stepchildren that she loved, Lynn (Scott Plutchak) Fortney of Birmingham and Rob (Kara) Fortney of Savannah. She is also survived by a loving brother and sister-in-law, Daryl and Shelby Clement of Furlow; and many nieces and nephews.

On the TV show, Inside the Actor's Studio, guests were often asked, ''If there is a God and you're at the Pearly Gates, what do you want to hear Him say?'' Dorothy always said she just wanted to hear Him say, ''Come In.'' Her three sons now say, ''Step in Mom, step in!''

Visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 PM, Friday, September 16, 2022, at Roller-Owens Funeral Home, 5509 JFK Blvd., North Little Rock. Funeral Service will be at 10:00 AM, Saturday, September 17, 2022, at Lakewood United Methodist Church, 1922 Topf Road, North Little Rock. Interment will follow in the Lakewood Columbarium. Memorials may be made to the Music Ministry of Lakewood United Methodist Church, Camp Aldersgate, Arkansas Repertory Theatre, or a charitable organization of your choice.

The Memorial Service for Dorothy will be live streamed and available to watch in real time on Lakewood United Methodist Church Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/expandingthelight
The recorded video of the memorial service (including the YouTube link) will be available on the Lakewood United Methodist Church main website: https://www.expandingthelight.org/


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9 Condolence(s)
Susan Jones Boe
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Thursday, October 13, 2022

Dear Scott and family, I was so sad to see your Mom has passed into spirit. I have such happy memories of her friendship with my Momma (Ruth Jones). You are entering a strange new phase of life without both parents. We started down this path last year when Daddy died (Momma died about 12 years ago). Please know lots of people loved your Mom and are holding you tight in their hearts. With love and thanksgiving for our precious parents.

Joe Harbuck
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Friday, September 23, 2022

Scott,
You are my Sigma Nu Pledge Son and Lifetime Friend!! You’re Mom was a Special Person!! I Love Your Family and will always remember the fun times in the neighborhood and Lakewood Methodist Church!! Prayers to You and your Family!!!

Donna Bartell
North Little Rock, AR
Liked
Sunday, September 18, 2022

Dorothy was a very special person who will be missed by so many. Knowing her through church and clubs and PEO was a delight. She was so much fun. Sympathy to all her family at this sad time. Donna Bartell

Donna Bartell
North Little Rock, AR
Liked
Sunday, September 18, 2022

Dorothy was a very special person who will be missed by so many. Knowing her through church and clubs and PEO was a delight. She was so much fun. Sympathy to all her family at this sad time. Donna Bartell

Mike Braxton
Anniston, AL
Liked
Friday, September 16, 2022

To David and his entire family, you are in our thoughts and prayers. I never had the pleasure of meeting Dorothy, but I sure wish I did. What a wonderful life she lived, full of love for her family and her community. David, thank you for sharing stories about you Mom with me yesterday, your family was so blessed to have such a wonderful Mom.

Kay Saunders
Hazen, AR
Liked
Wednesday, September 14, 2022

Godspeed, sweet lady. A life well lived.

Becky Cahoone Hallett
Quitman, AR
Liked
Tuesday, September 13, 2022

I am proud to say I climbed Mt. Magazine with Dorothy. She truly enjoyed the day. We had pictures made at the USGS marker noting we had it to the top. Now she is at the very top with all the people she loved. She will be really missed. Love you Dorothy.

Jacque Ptak
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Monday, September 12, 2022

Scott. Your mom sounds like my kind of girl. What a fun woman. I know she will be sorely missed. Prayers to you and your family. Live Jacque

Stan Graves
Norman, AR
Liked
Monday, September 12, 2022

So sorry to see this sad news but if there was ever a case of being ready, this is one indeed.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the boys and all the family during this sad and difficult time.
Stan Graves