Anne M. Wohlford

August 2, 1932 - October 22, 2021

Greenwood, Mississippi

A fine mother and gracious hostess, Anne M. Wohlford created homes for her family in Grosse Pointe and Bloomfield Hills, Michigan; Houston, Texas; New Canaan, Connecticut; New York, New York; London, England; and later in Rancho Santa Fe, and Del Mar, California.

Anne returned from Rancho Santa Fe to her hometown of Greenwood in June following the death of her husband, Burnet "Tigger" Wohlford. Anne passed away surrounded by her family. She was born Mildred Bell in Greenwood in 1932 and grew up on West Claiborne Avenue Extended. Anne graduated from Greenwood High School in 1950, where she was principal drum majorette with the high school marching band. She later attended Belhaven College and Millsaps College in Jackson. In 1951 she married Glen Wood Fortinberry of Monticello, Mississippi. Anne was an integral and essential part of Glen's success, including moving their family 28 times as he built his career from advertising Texas agriculture machinery to becoming Vice Chairman of J. Walter Thompson and later Chairman and CEO of Ross Roy Advertising.

Anne's charitable and volunteer work included memberships in the Junior League of Detroit, Michigan; Stamford and Norwalk, Connecticut; New York, New York; and San Diego, California; American Women's Club of London, England; and Daughters of the American Revolution.

During her years in New York City, Anne graduated from the New York School of Interior Design and owned an interior design business based in Greenwich, Connecticut. Anne loved antiques and world travel and was in charge of designing the headquarters for the U.S. Olympic team at the Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, NY in 1980.

In 1997, Anne married Burnet Wohlford of San Diego, California, where they enjoyed a wonderful life for twenty-four years. Anne and Tig traveled to many countries and split their home life between Rancho Santa Fe and Del Mar. They attended The Village Presbyterian Church in Rancho Santa Fe.

Anne was predeceased by her parents, Charles James Bell, Sr. and Mary Maclemore Garrott Bell, who owned and operated Mary Bell's Flowers in Greenwood, and her brother Charles James "Charlie" Bell, Jr., a professor of mechanical engineering at Mississippi State University. Anne said her greatest credit is her three sons, Glen Wood Fortinberry, Jr. (Sherrill) of Greenwood, Charles Lane Fortinberry II (Dana) of Clarkston, Michigan, and Richard Sheldon Fortinberry of San Diego, California. Anne is also survived by five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Her Mississippi family includes cousins Harry O'Neal of Greenwood, Dr. Mary Frances O'Neal of Jackson, and nephew William Bell of Ridgeland. The family extends its heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Kenneth Hines, to her special caregivers Gaudencia [Naty] Deleso and Tammy Cain, and to the staff at Tender Home Care and Indywood Glen of Greenwood for the thoughtful care they provided Anne. Funeral arrangements are by Wilson and Knight, and a memorial service will be held at Greenwood First Presbyterian Church on Saturday, December 4, 2021 at 11:00 AM with Dr. Andrew Chaney officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM till 11:00 AM at the church. Interment will follow in Odd Fellows Cemetery.