James Leonard Fortune, Sr.

James Leonard Fortune Sr., affectionately called Len, was born to Jannie and Eleanor Fortune on May 5, 1950 in Essex County, VA. He peacefully departed from his earthly life on Wednesday, August 14, 2019 while surrounded by family.

Len received his education through the Essex County Public School system and graduated with the class of 1969. He was baptized at an early age and became a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Hustle, Virginia. Len enjoyed serving as an Usher and as a member of the Security Ministry. He attended church regularly until his health began to decline.

Len married Doris, the love of his life, on May 27, 1972. From this union they were blessed with three children and many years of memories. In his adult life, Len loved NASCAR and sports. You could always find him watching a NASCAR race, baseball, or football game in his man cave. He was a die-hard Washington Redskins and New York Yankees fan. Len also loved to go fishing with his friends and family as well as traveling to different countries with his “cruise buddies”. To know him was to love him. Although he wasn’t quick to speak, Len positively impacted coworkers, friends, and family through his actions.

Len was predeceased by his parents: Jannie & Eleanor Fortune, his siblings: Mosby Fortune, Mildred Samuel, Darlene Rollins, Synissa “Nea” Johnson, Marjorie “Faye” Reynolds, William “Mack’ Fortune, Andre “Walker” Fortune, and his daughter in-law: Anne Fortune.

Len leaves to cherish his memory: his loving and devoted wife of 47 years: Deaconess Doris Fortune; his daughter: Evangelist Deborah Taylor (Tony) of Tappahannock, VA; two sons: Nathaniel Fortune of Richmond Virginia and James Fortune, Jr. (Nicole) of Fredericksburg, VA; eleven grandchildren: Dominique Fortune, Alexis Taylor, Trevon Fortune, Dalyn Taylor, Quentin Fortune, Madison Fortune, Dana Hence, Mervin Hence, Sheldon White, Nichelle Montaque, Adrian Montaque; one great granddaughter: Talayah Davis Fortune; his brothers: Randolph Fortune, Robert Fortune (Gloria), Jannie Fortune (Dale), Phillip George Fortune; his sisters: Alberta Harrison, Emma Henry, Cordelia Myers, Carolyn “Raye” Vessels; one aunt: Louise Young; his mother and father in-law: Malchai Johnson and Gladys Johnson; two brother in-laws: Malchia Johnson, Jr. (Delphine), David Johnson; one sister in-law: Patricia Johnson; best friend, Phillip Taylor; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.