Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, January 03, 2025 at The Church on Main in Columbia for Tara Marie Fortenberry Ard, 50, of Columbia, who passed away Tuesday, December 24, 2024 at MD Anderson. Interment will be at Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia. Rev. Brian Stewart will officiate the services.  Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Thursday, January 2, 2025 at The Church on Main.

On December 24, 2024, Tara Marie Fortenberry Ard went to be with Jesus and her precious Olivia while surrounded by her loving family at MD Anderson in Houston, Texas, after a well-fought and dignified battle against cancer.

She made her grand entrance into this world in Columbia, Mississippi, on October 7, 1974, and was hardly ever still again for the next fifty years. As a student at Columbia Academy and West Marion, she was involved in many activities and shenanigans, from clubs, courts, and cheer to well-rolled yards and well-cruised streets. A loyal, fierce, and faithful friend, Tara sustained many lifelong friendships through listening, lots of laughter, and love. After graduating from Columbia Academy in 1993, Tara continued her education at Pearl River Community College, where she was elected to the Homecoming Court her sophomore year. Tara graduated from The University of Southern Mississippi in 1998 and was a dedicated colleague throughout her career, most recently at EDL Labs in Purvis, Mississippi. During this time, Tara gave birth to her three greatest gifts and blessings, Sydney, born in 2004, Olivia, born in 2007, and Reed, born in 2014.

Tara lived her faith-filled life tenaciously and boldly from Hattiesburg to Mobile, Alabama, and back. Most likely driving herself, sitting at the wheel, zipping across various highways while making many memories and friends in between. She would often visit various coastal destinations to enjoy time at the beach and, thankfully, always come home to coordinate the menagerie of pets in her household and the multiple activities of her beloved children. A self-proclaimed lover of food, or in Tara's own words, "I like my groceries!"; she greatly enjoyed sharing meals (and eating crab legs) with friends and loved ones as a time to connect and catch up, all the while to the dismay and not-so-well-hidden jealousy of her middle-aged friends, remaining just as petite and beautiful as ever.

Many came to know Tara and her family as they shared their sweet Olivia's story of being born and living with Trisomy 18. Within the five short years of her life, and without speaking a word, Olivia touched thousands of hearts. After Olivia's passing in 2013, Tara's heart was always torn between wanting to be reunited with her precious Olivia and staying on this side of Heaven with her two other beloved children, whom she knew needed her more. In her own words, while "learning to dance in the rain" through all of life's ordeals, "you just can't make this stuff up moments," and "it could always be worse" times, Tara's faith never wavered. She proclaimed Jesus Christ as her personal Savior, and she consistently acknowledged how God had blessed her so abundantly time and time again.

Fiercely independent, she knew God always had her and "all her stuff," even on her hard days, and she was quick to say, "I'm fine! I promise I don't need anything! I am good!" Tara's life is a testimony of absolute and total steadfast faith, sprinkled with her quick wit and humor. Once, after sharing a social media update about an upcoming hospital stay and stating her belief in the power of prayers, she was quick to end it with, "P.S. Please don't break into my house unless you want to maybe clean it."

Even throughout her trials, Tara always tried her best to find a positive way to encourage and help others who needed it in whatever way she could. She knew all too well how short life can be and constantly showed us how to live it to its fullest, enjoy each moment, let go of grudges, and share love. May we all carry these lessons forth with us to help continue her legacy.

Those left behind to cherish her memory are her daughter, Sydney Rebecca Torian, son, Walker Reed Mitchell; her husband, Anthony Kyle Ard, and stepson, Brayden; her father, Mike Fortenberry, and stepmother, Merri Anne; her mother, Jan Carroll Shepard; her brother, Chris Fortenberry and sister-in-law Rebecca; her brother Evan Bean; and her grandmother, Jimmie Fortenberry. Tara also leaves behind nephews Cody Fortenberry, Cole Fortenberry, and Carter Fortenberry. Tara was preceded in death by her daughter, Olivia Kate Torian, and her grandparents, Charles Marion Fortenberry, Tommy Carroll, and Gwendolyn Carroll.

The love and kindness of Tara's community has been awe-inspiring. The family is humbled by and grateful for the outpouring of support and abundance of prayers over the past three years. The family would like to thank the dedicated staff at MD Anderson, Hattiesburg Clinic Oncology, and Marion General.

Pallbearers are Shayne Lowery, Steven Sanders, Jax Rayborn, Cody Fortenberry, Carter Fortenberry, and Cole Fortenberry.

If friends and family so wish, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations could be made to MD Anderson (https://gifts.mdanderson.org; use P.O. Box 62 Columbia, MS), Puttin' on the Pink Marion County (PayPal @Puttin' on the Pink Marion County), or the Reed Mitchell Education Fund established at First Southern Bank.