Melba Jean Fort, 83, of Pocahontas passed away Sunday, October 18, 2020 at her home.

She was born, December 5, 1936 in Lake City to the late Clyde and Lorena Hall Jacobs. She was a member and song leader for the New Bethel Baptist Church for all most two decades. She helped to form the Noland 4-H Club, leading them all the way to Washington, D.C. Jean had a passion for raising cattle alongside her husband Bill for over fifty years. They were awarded Farm Family of the Year. In her later years she became an accomplished author, writing many short stories and publishing two books.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bill Fort; and one son, David Fort.

She is survived by two sons, Rick (Terri) Fort and Skip Fort both of Pocahontas; grandchildren, Christopher (Jeannie) Fort of Pocahontas, Jamie (Kevin) Brown of Pocahontas, B.J. (Liz) Fort of Pocahontas, and Caylin Fort of Bono; great grandchildren, Landon, Chloe, and Sophie Fort, Colton and Mazie Brown, Ellie and Lynlie Fort all of Pocahontas; siblings, Wayne (Sue) Jacobs of Bristol, Indiana, Clydena (Bill) Haire of Locust Grove, Georgia, Roger (Pat) Jacobs of Rogers, Gail (Don) Arnold of Walnut Ridge, Terry (Jim) Neeley of Gate City, Virginia, Barbara (Troy) Farrister of Rogers, Ronnie (Sherry) Jacobs of Walnut Ridge and Donnie (Becky) Jacobs of Walnut Ridge; and many other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be Tuesday, October 20, 2020 from 12-1 PM in the chapel of McNabb Funeral Home with a funeral service following at 1 PM with Ricky Layton officiating. Burial will follow in Markham Cemetery near Egypt.

Pallbearers will be B.J. Fort, Colton Brown, Landon Fort, Chris Fort, Tim Ragan, and Kevin Brown.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to New Bethel Baptist Church, 111 Cedar Ridge Road, Pocahontas, AR 72455