Fortune remembered as advocate for those with chronic illnesses
Whether she was donning a helmet and boots to go through ATV training with 4-H youth, or joining them on a camping trip, Klumpp said Fortune was a great communicator in her role at extension.
By the U of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
Feb. 11, 2025
Fast facts
- Fortune remembered as advocate for those with chronic illness
- Was PR specialist for extension service
(530 words)
(With file photos)
LITTLE ROCK — Despite lymphoma and kidney disease, Elizabeth Fortune turned her own sufferings into the power to advocate for others with cancer and chronic illnesses.
Fortune, who was a public relations specialist for the Cooperative Extension Service from 2004 -2010, died Feb. 6. She was 49.
While at the extension service, she pioneered the use of social media and explored new communications technologies. Fortune also served on the board of the Arkansas Association of Cooperative Extension Specialists, including a term as vice president.
“She always had a smile on her face,” said Mike Klumpp, associate professor emeritus of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. “She was such a champion for those who suffered from lymphoma and kidney issues. I couldn’t do what she did. For what she’s gone through, she always had a smile on her face.”
Whether she was donning a helmet and boots to go through ATV training with 4-H youth, or joining them on a camping trip, Klumpp said Fortune was a great communicator in her role at extension.
“She participated along with Arkansas 4-H youth in our educational programs and then wrote and shared their experiences,” he said.
Klumpp said he and Fortune shared a love of sports, and “as you know she was a loyal and true Oklahoma State University fan as well as an Arkansas Razorback fan.
“I’m going to miss hearing her voice and the texts that we shared almost every week for the past 14-plus years,” he said.
Rich Poling, retired professor from the Cooperative Extension Service, recalled how Fortune was willing to jump in at the last minute to chaperone a 4-H High Adventure trip to the rugged wilds of New Mexico.
“We’d been preparing for that trip for almost six months and we needed an adult female leader for our team of 4-H members,” Poling said. “She came through in a pinch and did a wonderful job. She was great with the kids and a real trooper.”
Fortune was co-founder and president of the Lymphomaniac Society, a nonprofit that provided respite trips for cancer survivors and caregivers.
“The foundation that she and her husband started was amazing,” Poling said. “She was a wonderful person.”
Her diagnosis and search for a bone marrow match inspired many to register to become potential bone marrow donors. In December, she marked her 11th year of survival following a bone marrow transplant.
Fortune’s chemotherapy regimen caused kidney failure and resulted in her having to undergo dialysis. Instead of slowing down, Fortune became an advocate for those with kidney disease, with her columns appearing in Little Rock media and parts of her journey being told online by the National Kidney Foundation.
She is survived by her husband, Griffin; her brother, Mark; sister-in-law. Shay; beloved niece, Annie; nephew, Clem; and her uncle, Dan Clements.
A memorial service will be held for Elizabeth at 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 14, at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 20900 Chenal Parkway, in Little Rock. A committal ceremony will be held for the family at a separate time. The Fortune and Coop families encourage others to register to be bone marrow donors through bethematch.org. Donations can also be made to bethematch.org and St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church.
The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Media contact: Mary Hightower
mhightower@uada.edu