Mrs. Virgene Fortune

Virgene's Life Story: Virgene Dixon was born on February 23, 1938 in Shreveport, Louisiana to Willie and Lugenia Dixon. She was one of 11 children. Virgene attended Booker T. Washington High School and graduated in 1958. She attended Providence Methodist Church and was baptized at an early age. Virgene (Jean) moved to Detroit, Michigan where she met her husband, John (Jay) V. Fortune. Jay and Jean were married on September 26, 1964. They were blessed with two children, Vergary Lopez and Tomika Sawain. Jean was employed by Columbia Medical Hospital in Detroit and later worked for many years as a Nursing Aide for Children’s Hospital of Detroit, where she retired at the age of 55. She was a loving wife and a devoted mother to her children. She never missed a day of work and although she had to leave for work each morning at 6 A.M., she still made time to rise early to prepare a hot breakfast for her children and a delicious hot lunch for her husband to take to work. She was a wonderful grandmother and she took pride in fussing over each of her grandchildren. In addition to spending time with her family. Jean enjoyed bowling, watching sports on T.V., especially the Detroit Pistons, and cooking. She made the best mac & cheese and a mighty mean peach cobbler! Soul food cooking was her specialty. She was always happy to prepare her husband’s favorite dish, which is chicken & dumplings. Jean was from the old school and she believed in preparing hot meals and sitting down at the table to eat as a family. Jean also loved to travel. She would make time each year to visit her siblings, whether it was back home in Shreveport, or in Los Angeles or Denver. The Lord also blessed her to be able to take many vacations including cruises, and trips to Florida and Hawaii. Jean lived a wonderful life full of love and laughter. She had the most beautiful smile. She was soft spoken and quiet, but also could “get in it and stay late” when she had to, which means she didn’t take no mess. She treated people with kindness and respect and she demanded to be treated the same way. She brought structure and a sense of peace and calmness to her family and those who were a part of her life.

Mrs. Virgene Fortune

February 23, 1938 - April 8, 2014