JAMES ROBERT FORBES

James Robert Forbes died peacefully on Saturday evening, March 24, 2018. He was born on February 10, 1931, in Poplar Creek, Mississippi, the son of L.T. Forbes and Lola Ingram Forbes. He graduated from Grenada High School in 1949 and then attended Sunflower Junior College where he was an All-State football player. He enlisted in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and served with the 31st “Dixie” Infantry Division in 1950 and 1951.

After his term of service ended, James returned home and enrolled in Mississippi State University (MSU). While at MSU, he was a Cadet Colonel in the ROTC Corps of Cadets and was named Outstanding Infantry Cadet in 1953. He served as Drill Master of the Scabbard and Blade, the University’s precision drill team. He was a member of Omicron Delta Kappa honor society and Kappa Alpha Order social fraternity. He earned a B. S. degree in Business, graduating in 1955.

James met the love of his life, Doris Patricia Caffey, in Jackson, Mississippi in 1956 and the two were married in December of the same year. They began their life together and lived in the timber regions of Mississippi and Alabama as he pursued a career in the lumber business.

James loved God, his family, hunting, fishing, Mississippi State football, and the lumber business. From the time he graduated college, he worked hard to make his dream of someday owning his own lumber company become a reality. In 1986 his dream came true when he purchased a sawmill in Washington County, Alabama that had been destroyed by fire. He transformed the heap of ash into what is now the Millry Mill Company, Inc., a small state-of-the-art southern yellow pine sawmill, exporting quality lumber domestically and worldwide. He was thankful for the opportunity that Washington County had given him, to build a successful business. Through this spirit of gratitude, James worked tirelessly to give back to his community. He worked hard to provide a safe and profitable working environment for the staff of Millry Mill. He supported many school activities, especially those of the sports teams, Future Farmers of America and 4H. He helped county churches with building materials and donations, supported the Friends of the Washington County Library, and worked hard to improve services for the people of Washington County. He gave his time and resources to children in need, the United Way, and the Junior League of Mobile. He was considered a builder for God and man.

Among the many honors earned and leadership positions James held over the years were: Outstanding Young Man of the Year, Laurel, Mississippi, 1968; past President of the Laurel Kiwanis Club and delegate to the Kiwanis International Convention; Chairman of DeSoto District Boy Scouts of America; and past President of the Mississippi Building Material Dealers Association. He served on the executive committee for the Washington County Hospital and Nursing Home and as Secretary of the hospital’s board of directors. He was a board member for the Washington County Business Association; a stockholder in the Washington County

Economic Development Association; and past Chairman of the Chatom United Methodist Church where he taught bible study for many years.

In 2006 James was inducted into the Washington County Hall of Fame by the Washington County Museum Board for his contributions to the people of Washington County. In 2015 James’ name was added to the Millry, Alabama Veterans Memorial wall to recognize his years of service and dedication to the U. S. Army.

He loved trees and planted them, physically and symbolically, throughout his lifetime. He left a legacy of community service and generosity that can be found in his children and grandchildren. He will be greatly missed.

James is predeceased by his parents and his loving wife of 58 years.

He is survived by his daughters, Laura L. Forbes of New York City, N.Y., Jamie Forbes McRae of Waynesboro, Miss., and Ann Forbes Sirmon (Danny) of Mobile, Ala.; four grandchildren and two great grandchildren; and his brother, Richard Earl Forbes (Bettye) of Starkville, Miss. A memorial service will be held on Monday, April 2, 11 a.m. at Chatom United Methodist Church, 1251 School Street, Chatom, Ala. Family visitation will begin at 10 a.m. at the church preceding the service. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a donation in James’ honor to the Chatom United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 205, Chatom, Alabama 36518 or Washington County Public Library, audio collection, P. O. Box 1057, Chatom, AL 36518.

 

Shelton W. Andrews

Shelton W. Andrews, 89, of Andalusia, passed away on Monday, March 26, 2018, at Andalusia Hospital.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, March 30, from Foreman Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor John Hunt officiating. The interment will follow in Andalusia Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the funeral home.

He is survived by his daughters and son-in-law, Judy and Lonnie Carnley of Plant City, Fla., and Patricia Russell of Andalusia; sons and daughters-in-law, Jerry and Carole Andrews of Brandon, Fla., and Jimmy and Martha Andrews of Andalusia; grandchildren, Daryl (Annie) Carnley, Michelle Andrews, Sean (Nicole) Andrews, Kacey (Sterling) Sasser, Kristi (Ray) O’Brien, and Kim (Seale) Caton; and 11 great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Edlow and Maybell Andrews, wife, Loraine Andrews, and sister, Jeanette Frost.

Pallbearers will be Billy Bickley, Donnie Lawson, Roy Barnes, David Wiggins, Robert Sutton, and James Sutton.

Those unable to attend the service, may sign the guest registry online at www.foremanfuneralhome.com.