(This week The Columbian-Progress spotlights Realtor Merri Anne Fortenberry of Tanya Holland Real Estate.)
Q: When and where were you born?
A: I was born in Columbia April 29, 1964.
Q: Where did you attend school?
A: I graduated from Columbia Academy, but I started out at Hub Elementary then attended East Marion until the sixth grade before I went to Columbia Academy. I went to college at Pearl River Community College.
Q: What was your childhood like?
A: My childhood was awesome. I come from a wonderful family and wonderful church family. I had a lot of good friends and had a very good childhood.
Q: Where do you work? Tell us about your job/company.
A: I’m a realtor with Tanya Holland Real Estate. I sell and list properties, and our job is to serve the community on the real estate market.
Q: What led you to your profession?
A: I formerly was in banking years ago at Magnolia Federal here and did mortgage loans. I had some other adventures I did after I was done with banking. Tanya Holland and I actually were classmates in high school. She and I were talking one day, and she mentioned trying real estate. So I got my license and came to work with Tanya. She and I work very well as a team together, and our goal is to serve Columbia and the community here. I actually get a blessing out of helping clients find homes. Buying a home is a major purchase in a person’s life.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your job?
A: Serving people. I love helping people with such a big purchase in their life and finding that right place to call home.
Q: What is the most challenging aspect of your job?
A: The market in Columbia can be a little challenging. We go through times that are slower periods that sometimes it can be hard to move properties due to the economy. I’m very grateful for the businessmen and women that have brought jobs to Columbia that has helped with the market here.
Q: What advice would you give someone considering your career path?
A: If you’re going to make it a full-time career, you have to be very dedicated. Some people do try to get into real estate as a part-time job, but to make real estate work for me I had to dedicate myself full time to this career.
Q: What was your first job?
A: The first real job I ever had was with Rogers Lumber Company for Mr. Charles Rogers in his office.
Q: Who are the people who have been most influential in your life?
A: The older I get the more I’m turning into my parents, so I would say my mom, Ellen, and dad, Shelby. They have been very influential. They planted the seeds for me as a child that have matured in me as an adult. My husband has been very influential to me and has always been very supportive of me. He’s always pushed me when I’ve had a career or a challenge I wanted to do.
Q: What is your spouse’s name?
A: Mike Fortenberry. He retired from Conoco Phillips.
Q: Do you have children?
A: I have two stepchildren, Tara Mitchell and Chris Fortenberry, and love them like they’re my own. I’ve been their stepmom for 35 years. We’ve got six grandchildren and two angels.
Q: If you could have anything for your last meal on earth, what would it be?
A: I would have to say medium-well filet mignon from Sully’s.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
A: The Holy Land. I’ve been fortunate to do a good bit of traveling, and that’s just somewhere I’ve always wanted to go. I’m a Christian and I want to see where Jesus’ feet trod.
Q: What hobbies do you like to do in your spare time?
A: I read; I like to kayak and boat; I help with our women’s ministry at The Church on Main, and I like to dedicate a lot of time to working on and preparing that.
Q: What do you enjoy about Columbia and Marion County?
A: I like it because it’s a small town. It’s a little bit more personal, and there’s not anywhere that you go that you don’t run into familiar faces. I like the atmosphere of it being a small town.
Q: If you could have lunch with anyone from your life or history, who would it be and why?
A: Jesus. I’d want to thank Him for what He’s done in my life.
Q: If you didn’t have to worry about money, what would you do all day?
A: I would still want to serve people and help people. I’d probably do missions in our own town.
Q: Would you rather read a good book or watch a good movie and why?
A: Read a good book because reading challenges your mind.
Q: What moment in your life has had the biggest impact on who you are today?
A: Our granddaughter, Olivia Kate, was born Dec. 3, 2007, and died Jan. 29, 2013. She was born with Trisomy 18. She made a big impact on my life. I helped care for her. She was a medical baby 24/7 and belonged to Tara. She brought me closure in my faith and my walk with Jesus.
Q: If you could describe your morals in three words, what would they be?
A: Honesty, caring and serving (others).
Q: How would you like to be remembered?
A: As a woman with a heart for Christ.
— Joshua Campbell
Pictured Above: Merri Anne Fortenberry of Tanya Holland Real Estate previously worked in banking but made a switch to real estate on the recommendation of Holland, her longtime friend. | Photo by Joshua Campbell
