**My Life Journey**

Let me introduce myself. I am Annie Ruth Salter Fort, born November 30, 1926, in Sardis, Mississippi, to my wonderful parents, John and Beatrice (Hall) Salter. I was baptized and accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior during this time.

Later, I married Jimmie Fort., and nine children were born from this union. We eventually moved to Haywood City, Missouri. Here, is where my husband and I continued to grow our family and raised our children.

As time passed, I engaged in attending my local church, New Morning Star Baptist church, where I assumed roles wherever God had space for me. I raised my children to make Jesus a part of their lives while on my journey. The more time I spent with Him the closer I became. My relationship with the Lord grew. I learned that He is my closest friend, and I learned that I could talk to him as such. I played my part as a choir member, an usher and later a mother of the church. I will say that I loved God with all my heart because he brought me through some times that if it were not for him, I would not have made it. He said in Psalms 23, "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil because God is with me, his rod and staff they comfort me," and He did just that. I also made sure my children, Grandchildren and great-great grandchildren knew how much they need the Lord. Especially in this season. As the scripture says, "Train up a child in the way they should go, and when they are old, they will not depart from it." " Parents leave an inheritance for your children and your children's children." Jesus is my Legacy to all of them.

Before retiring, I worked as a housekeeper for the Holiday Inn. 30 years later, I retired, and a new chapter began. My children were grown, and had started their own families, and now I moved into my new journey, spending more time with the grandchildren. "Madea" is what they call me. To my Grandchildren, Great grandchildren, and some great-great grandchildren, I want you all to know that I loved you all individually. There was not one that I loved more than the other. I cherished every moment we shared whether it be rocking you to sleep as a baby,  shelling peas, peeling peaches, in the kitchen baking or showing you how to cook something, teaching you how to drive, playing softball, working in the garden and my flower bed, watching your basketball games, a sport on tv, traveling together, shopping together, conversating on the phone, video chatting, or just sitting around chatting, laughing and having fun, you all mean the world to me. Continue to love each other and stay committed to God. He is the only one that will sustain you in this season.

Now, as of November 18, 2024, I have decided that I am ready to meet my Jesus face to face—the greatest reward of my journey here on earth. I can see them lined up at the pearly gates waiting to greet me, there I see my husband, Jimmie Fort; my daughters, Stella, Sarah, Edna, and Mary; and my sons, James and Henry, My parents and all my siblings.

As I walk away from this earthly body, I leave behind memories for you all to cherish until we meet again. I leave my children, Penny Fort Banks of Haywood City, Mo: John (Patricia) Fort of Haywood City, Mo: Willie (Brenda) Fort of Pickerington, Oh. To my children,  besides the Lord, you are all you have. Stay close and love on each other. I will be there to greet you on the other side. I leave with my personal individual memories to 33 grandchildren, 74 great grandchildren, and 44 great-great grandchildren. To the host of nieces' nephews and personal friends, I love you and will see you again.

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral hour at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 23, 2024, at the New Morning Star Church in Haywood City.

Interment will follow in the New Morning Star Cemetery under the direction of the McMikle Funeral Home of Sikeston.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com .