Inza Lee Fort, 103, of Fayetteville, Ark., passed away peacefully into life eternal on Dec. 30, 2018. Inza was born on March 28, 1915, in Birmingham, Ala., to John H. and Mattie DeShazo Lee. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend. Inza was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Samuel Burwell Fort, Jr.
Inza lived most of her life in Birmingham and Bessemer, Ala. In the 1930's, she worked for the new Social Security Administration and during World War II for the Office of Defense Transportation. With the births of her children, she became a full-time wife and mom. Inza was active in her community – serving terms as President of the Bessemer Sinawik Club, the Bessemer Literary Forum Club, and the Women of the Church for Bessemer First Presbyterian Church (the congregation is now Shepherd of the Valley Presbyterian Church in McCalla, Ala.).
Inza was a woman of deep faith, strength and love for her family and friends. She was a great homeroom mom for her three children throughout school, lending her cooking and artistic talents for school events. Inza loved teaching Sunday School and did so for over forty years at Bessemer First Presbyterian Church. She also served on the building committee for the sanctuary, authored a history of the church, and contributed to the design and creation of the beautiful needlepoint and chrismons of the church.
Inza was a giver – of love, life lessons, and lots of laughter. She possessed a wry, intelligent, sometimes bawdy, but never mean, sense of humor. Inza had a knack for card and board games and was an avid crossword puzzle solver. She embraced computer technology and enjoyed iPads for reading, games, and all sorts of creative projects. She enjoyed drawing, oil painting, and needlepoint design and played a great game of bridge. We are sure the "girls" are waiting for her with a game in Heaven. Inza was a fabulous cook and made wonderful family meals and great tailgate lunches for our trips to see our Auburn Tigers. She greatly loved fun with family and friends, fine food, and the felines that graced her life. She truly blessed our lives with laughter, joy and love.
Inza moved to Fayetteville in 1997 and thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the Fayetteville community. She was a fan of Razorback sports and activities at the University of Arkansas and the Walton Arts Center.
Inza is survived by her three children, Samuel Burwell Fort, III, and wife Merry of Macon, Ga., Inza Lee Fort and Susan Fort Dawson of Fayetteville, Ark.; two grandchildren, Rad Evans and Brandie Phillips and husband Danny; and two great-grandchildren, Dane Phillips and Eryn Phillips, all of Macon, Ga.
A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019, at Elmwood Cemetery and Mausoleum in Birmingham, Ala., with Rev. Becky Davis officiating.
The family would like to extend deep appreciation to her wonderful caregivers at Washington Regional Hospice and Katherine's Place.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Washington Regional Willard Walker Hospice Home, 325 Longview St., Fayetteville, Ark. 72703, or Shepherd of the Valley Presbyterian Church, 5081 Eastern Valley Road, McCalla, Ala. 35111.
To place an online tribute, visit www.nelsonberna.com.

Published January 2, 2019